NEW DELHI: In a major scientific breakthrough, a research project led by a Chennai-based diabetologist has found that the non-performance of a particular gene in the blood of most Indians is making them more prone to diabetes.

The gene — PPAR-Gamma — is known to protect people of most races from diabetes.

According to the group of 85 researchers, led by the eminent Chennai-based diabetologist V Mohan in project funded by the department of biotechnology, this single factor is making Indians more prone to diabetes.

India is home to around 40 million diabetics, the highest number in any one country. Nearly 12-16 per cent of India’s urban population is diabetic.