MP apologises over inbreeding slur
Dr Gibson under fire for inbreeding comments
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Friday, 11, Aug 2006 02:39
Norwich MP Dr Ian Gibson has been forced to apologise for saying that the rise of diabetes in the county is due to inbreeding.
Latest figures revealed that 345 young people in Norfolk have type one diabetes, more than double the 160 predicted cases.
In an interview with the Eastern Daily Press Dr Gibson, a former chair of the Commons science committee, said: "I would imagine it is linked to the fact that people in Norfolk are quite inbred, with many not leaving the county.
"It is something that needs to be looked at as a priority, especially as many cases are linked to obesity, too."
When asked if he thought his constituents would be angry at his comments, Dr Gibson said: "Probably, but they are inbred."
Responding to the comments, Dr Angela Wilson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said that they had failed to help people's understanding of diabetes.
"[Diabetes has] many causes: lifestyle, environment, and - as you would expect with any condition - genetics," she said.
"However the Norfolk data would indicate that genetics is unlikely to be the prime cause of this sudden increase in diabetes cases. Recent research has suggested that infection may be one cause."
Dr Wilson added that the most likely factor is not inbreeding, but instead an influx of people into Norfolk in recent years carrying new infections.
Speaking on the Today programme this morning, Dr Gibson "apologised unreservedly" for any offence caused by his comments.
However he maintains that genetics need to be considered in the study into the causes of the disease.
"The serious side of it is of course that an illness, a disease, like this particular form of diabetes which is on the increase, needs to be examined thoroughly and there are various components involved in it in a way that we don't understand - lifestyle, environment, and to some degree genetics as well," he said.
"I just hope in the study that's taking place that they will look at the genetic influences and take it into consideration when they come to understand the structure of the genetic pool in an area like Norfolk."
Dr Gibson added: "The offence I am very sorry for. It's meant to be part of a serious analysis of the structure of the DNA and its implications in the development of diabetes, to whatever extent that is. It may be a minor component, who knows."