Sometimes it is a normal gene that directs the production of a hormone, such as insulin, or of the cell machinery which that hormone stimulates, such as the insulin receptor.

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We will routinely turn off genes that promote disease and aging such as the fat insulin receptor gene that tells the fat cells to hold onto excess fat.

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Existing diabetes drugs, such as Actos from Eli Lilly (nyse: LLY - news - people ) and Avandia from GlaxoSmithkline (nyse: GSX - news - people ), resensitize the body to insulin by turning on the PPAR gamma receptor.

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