random_2202

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I think that many autoimmune diseases have both a genetic component and a trigger.

They must, yes- but just as an observation: if type 1 diabetes historically prevailed at the current rate (say, 10-15 per 100,000 as is in the United States) would quickly be selected against if it were entirely genetic. Ty 1 would be nearly absent from modern populations after a few hundred generations of selection.

But having the genes alone does not assure developing Ty1, as gauged by twin studies.

If we are products of our environment and our genetics, the question is- what has changed in our environment to cause people to develop Ty1 diabetes when (perhaps) a thousand years ago, that same person might not have?

I think that is a very interesting question. The "hygiene hypothesis" has been dragged out and around a few times, and there are very clear-cut studies that demonstrate increased rates of autoimmune disease the further north you go- particularly with MS.

Anyway- thanks for the reply, and keep up the exciting research!