... the Globe and Mail has an article, "Stem Cells Stop Diabetes in Mice". The article outlines a breakthrough (although in mice) about stem cells being used to create new beta cells (the cells that are needed to produce insulin).
Why is this good? With stem cells, they are cells without an identity and apparently can form any cells in the body, including beta cells (those insulin generating ones). Up until now, they haven't been able to transplant stem cells and have them survive in a new mouse (I guess in this case), without the damaging autoimmune suppressing drugs. Ie. drugs that block the immune system from working properly. These drugs are usually necessary in transplants so the immune system doesn't go and kill off the new organ or cells. This is important because if the body can generate its own beta cells from the stem cells, there will be no rejection and no bad drugs.
Why is this isn't so good? Again, its with mice. Mice and humans are different. Also, this is NOT a cure. This is a long-term stop gap. Ie. so I don't have to jab myself in the gut 4 times a day. I may be able to just get a transplant once every 5 years or something like that. A true cure for type-1 diabetes, would be to eliminate the autoimmune attack. Once that has been eliminated, I'm sure that the body can just regenerate its own beta cells ... maybe. If not, then this technology would be needed to assist the body in the beta cell replacement.
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