Meal-related secretion of insulin is augmented through the insulinotropic actions of the incretin hormones GIP and GLP-1 to reduce postprandial glycemic excursions in health (64, 65); in type 2 diabetes, a markedly attenuated insulinotropic action of GIP (66) and, in some cases, attenuated secretion of GLP-1 (67), contribute to an impairment of postprandial insulin secretion, so that the latter is insufficient to maintain euglycaemia. The gene discussed is GIP; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.