A landmark study into diabetes has raised hopes of new treatments after three genes linked to the disease were identified.

Each of the genes predisposes the individuals who have them to develop type 2 diabetes.

The discovery brings scientists “a step closer towards understanding” why the disease develops, and will provide clues to treating or preventing it.

All three of the genes were found to come in two common versions, alleles, which would either raise or lower the risk of developing diabetes 2.

The high risk alleles for each of the genes are all common in the British population and raise the chances of developing diabetes 2 by up to 20 per cent. The discovery of the three genes associated with a higher risk of having diabetes 2 raises the number identified to nine.

Professor Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford, one of the lead authors of a paper published online in the journal Science, said: “This research helps us to understand that, for most people at least, an individual’s risk of developing diabetes as they get older is influenced by a number of genes, as well as by their environment.”

Type 2 diabetes can cause heart disease, strokes, blindness and kidney failure and affects 200 million people around the world. It occurs as a result of the body’s failure to produce enough insulin to maintain normal levels of sugar in the blood.

Times Recommends

• Charles blazes trail as sun king
• Thalidomiders win payout 50 years on
• Libel gag on talk of 'medical hurricane'