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Friday 11 September 2015 10:46am

Associate Professor Tony Merriman, in conjunction with the Auckland-based Maurice Wilkins Centre, will co-direct a programme of research aiming to identify genes that predispose New Zealanders to obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Professor Merriman says that his experience in studying the genetics of gout suggests that this study has a high chance of finding important new information that may be clinically relevant.

Dr Giles Yeo, an obesity researcher visiting from the University of Cambridge, and presenter of a BBC documentary on genetics and diet, supports the study. He says obesity is influenced by your genetics:

"Genetic predisposition is like being dealt a good or bad poker hand. Either could win or lose. How you play your hand in genetics is your lifestyle."

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