 [ Symptoms ] what causes type 1 diabetes [ Disease ] type 1 diabetes develops because the body is immune system destroys the beta cells which are in the islet tissue in the pancreas these beta cells produce insulin so people with type 1 diabetes cannot make their own insulin you can inherit a tendency to develop type 1 diabetes but most people who have the disease have no family history of it diabetes experts believe that a genetic tendency and some environmental factors may increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes possible environmental factors include enteroviral infections  especially coxsackie b infections despite concerns about vaccines particularly those against whooping cough and haemophilus influenza b or hib studies have not found a relationship between being vaccinated and developing type 1 diabetes 1 webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated