Stem cells could spell end for diabetes jabs

thisislondon.co.uk ^ | 4-10-2007 | staff writer

[bedolido]

Hopes have been raised of a new treatment to free thousands of diabetes sufferers from the burden of daily insulin injections.

Scientists revealed findings of a study which shows that 15 young patients with type one diabetes overcame their dependence on insulin after being treated with their own stem cells

[Pharmboy]

Please understand that this study was done when people were first diagnosed. The timing of the therapy is critical. My point is that people with established type 1 diabetes will not respond to this particular therapy.

This is, however, a great advance.

[Bosco]

This has to be using adult stem cells. If it were embryonic stem cells it would have been trumpeted from the highest tower.

[bedolido]

thanks for the clarification. I have a close friend with type 1 and I was hoping this could help him.

[TChris]

Once again, adult stem cells work miracles.

Oh ethically challenged scientists, where are the benefits of embryonic stem cells? What is all that research money for? Why not put your efforts into the field that actually works?

[xjcsa]

This is a promising development. That said, this is a horribly-written, agenda-driven article. The stem cells used were from the same person being treated, not from murdered babies, yet the article implies that I want these people to die because I won’t join their baby-death cult.

[mvpel]

That fake injection photo is rather distracting. It seems rather unlikely that someone that skinny would need an insulin dose that large, or that they’d shoot their arm.

[VRWCmember]

In case you’re wondering, these people did not have their own stem cells harvested back when they were still embryos. These stem cells are ADULT stem cells.

[mvpel]

“Cannibalistic baby-death cult” - good turn of phrase, I think.

[50sDad]

This has to be using adult stem cells. If it were embryonic stem cells it would have been trumpeted from the highest tower.

Kinda the way a Republican is "REPUBLICAN SENATOR CAUGHT STEALING MONEY", and a Democrat is "SENATOR CAUGHT STEALING MONEY". (Who am I kidding? More like "SENATOR UNJUSTLY TRAPPED IN MONEY SCANDEL" or "SENATOR BRAVELY ANNOUNCES HE'S ENTERING REHAB PROGRAM.")

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It seems rather unlikely that someone that skinny would need an insulin dose that large

This article is about Type 1 diabetes.
I think you are confusing this with Type 2 diabetes which has been tied to obesity, diet and lack of regular exercise.

Small babies can be afflicted with Type 1, which is where the pancreas does not produce insulin from its islet cells.

[Bosco]

You know, I *was* going to add that on to my post but I decided not to. I'd make a great comedy partner - don't mind being the straight man.

But yes, you're right.

[bedolido]

sorry... I did not realize the consequenses of what this story was really about. If I had I would not have posted it. Thanks for giving a better understanding to all that read this article.

[IL Republican]

My wife has celiac disease. Alba Pharmaceuticals has an experimental drug in phase II or III of testing which shows promise of helping celiac as well as diabetic patients.

Given that one drug is useful on both, I wonder if this treatment will lead to any advancements towards a better life for those with Celiac.