Thursday, March 30, 2006
Stem Cells Regulate Insulin—Health24
November 20, 2002
http://www.health24.co.za/news.asp?action=art&SubContentTypeId=49&ContentID=20074
Summary
Stanford university researchers were able to customize stem cells to make an insulin producing tissue. This was tested on some mice with diabetes and the blood sugar was regulated. The insulin producing tissue in humans known as beta cells are not exactly the same as the customized stem cells. These customized stem cells are not ready for humans yet. The stem cells were not used along side of the beta cells in the mice but they were replaced. The experiment was not corrupt, in order to prove and validate their experiment the insulin producing tissue was removed and the mice died of too much sugar in their bloodstream. Researchers hope to actually make beta cells from stem cells to replace non-working beta cells or non-functioning stem cells.
Importance
If it were possible to replace beta cells in diabetic people than people would not have to suffer the consequences. Many people around the world have diabetes including a few in my family. This article could show people that would be interested in sponsoring or funding the researchers for a cure to diabetes.
Opinion
I did enjoy the article because I know some people that go through diabetes and it would be nice to see some sort of a cure. At least it was interesting to know there is a development on diabetes. I can not understand why there is not a test being done on humans. We can obviously relate to humans better than mice.
