- Family and twin studies have suggested that genetic factors influence approximately 50 percent of a person's susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. Recently, some of the genes involved in the development of type 2 diabetes have been identified, in large part by genome-wide association studies. Certain risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and insulin resistance, are highly inheritable, as are diabetic complications such as diabetes-related eye and kidney disorders. However, few genes associated or linked with diabetes risk factors or complications have been conclusively identified, and more research is needed to study specific genetic factors associated with these aspects of diabetes.