As insulin deficiency progresses, the liver produces alternate fuels, the ketones, that do not require insulin for entry into cells but are acidic leading to potentially deadly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)Diabetic ketoacidosis: (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that develops when there is insufficient insulin produced (through destruction of beta cells) and fat is used for fuel, with a subsequent accumulation of ketones, causing the blood to become acidic and leading to toxicity in all tissues (including brain, heart, muscle) of the body. This evidence concerns the gene INS and diabetes mellitus.