A number of recent studies have identified genes involved in common disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Researchers used gene chips to scan hundreds of thousands of DNA variations across thousands of individuals to find changes associated with the disorders.

“A Common Variant in the FTO Gene is Associated with Body Mass Index and Predisposes to Childhood and Adult Obesity” by Timothy M. Frayling and others, Science (volume 316), May 11, 2007, pages 889-894.

“A Common Allele on Chromosome 9 Associated with Coronary Heart Disease” by Ruth McPherson and others, Sciencexpress May 3, 2007 (published online 10.1126/science.1142447).

“A Common Variant on Chromosome 9p21 Affects the Risk of Myocardial Infarction” by Anna Helgodottir and others, Sciencexpress May 3, 2007 (published online 10.1126/science.1142842).

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“Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identifies Loci for Type 2 Diabetes and Triglyceride Levels” by Diabetes Genetics Initiative of Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Lund Unive