Big News on the Fight Against Diabetes

littek

Dr. Hussain makes mention of stem cells in the bone marrow as sources of future Islet of langerhans cells (those cells in the pancreas that produce insulin), if these can be used for such a purpose that would be great.

Since President Bush (the younger) and the government have banned the harvesting of stem cells from freshly growing unwanted human embryos and limited research on the descendents of those already in existence, this article is good news and perhaps gives one hope. This ban is the result of the big flap about human cloning. There are two main types of cloning. The first is the "Dolly the Sheep" type whereas an entire individual is reproduced. The religious conservative logic that abhors this type of cloning is unfounded since by the same logic Identical twins would be illegal by this administration's ban.

The second type "Therapeutic Cloning", which is the use of freshly harvested stem cells from embryos, is probably more conducive to producing not only insulin producing but also a plethora of other types of cells such as liver, nerve, heart, and any other specialty cell in the human body. Unfortunately, the ban on using this source for stem cell research has only succeeded in geographically relocating research outside the U.S. Therefore countries and companies outside the U.S will reap the fruits of any success.


I believe once this administration is replaced by one less subject to religious conservative views the ban on the use of new stem cells will be quietly lifted and we can then continue to medically progress into the 21st century. If this research is successful it is conceivable to grow a second heart for a patient rather then hope for the death of another whose specific organ is needed.

Respectfully,

JM

What about insulin-independent diabetes?

New Haven,

"Insulin-independent diabetes" known also as late-onset or type II diabetes has three general causes. The first involves a marked decrease in pancreatic beta cell (Islets of Langerhans) insulin production (Which could result from either decreased numbers of cells or decreased production of the hormone insulin itself).


The second is the production of faulty insulin. This is the production of insulin that is unable to perform the transfer of serum glucose (sugar) into the cell for energy production.

The third is faulty receptors on the target cells themselves (for instance muscle cells), which will not allow normal insulin to perform glucose cellular transference.

The addition of new beta cells capable of producing sufficient normal insulin would alleviate the first two causes of type II diabetes. The third condition would only be cured by a totally different mechanism dealing with correcting the insulin receptors on the target cell itself.

JM

JamesMorrison - let's hope that progression into 21st century science happens sooner than later. Thanks for the info!

The guy here is the office had his 2nd Islet Transplant @ UW, it's going to great!!! Where's Matirx?? for this info.

Hmmm, where IS matrix? Haven't seen her for a while.

Very nice information all around here guys, and yes, I agree with the let the technology make difference darn it! group myself.