Health: The Other Diabetes: A Body Making War on Itself

(2 of 2)

This, says Ricordi, is why doctors need to develop alternative sources of insulin-producing cells. Researchers are exploring such possibilities as turning embryonic stem cells into unlimited numbers of insulin-producing cells, or using adult stem cells obtained from the patient's own bone marrow or liver or pancreatic tissue to do the same. Others are trying to harvest islet cells from genetically modified pigs and even from fish that have been engineered to produce human insulin.

Researchers believe they have cured Type 1 diabetes in mice, but they have yet to translate that success to humans, although they hope to begin trials soon. A real cure may remain elusive, but as scientists learn more about this complicated disease, they will continue to design more effective treatments. Given the grave health concerns that Type 1 diabetics still face, those treatments can't come soon enough. --By David Bjerklie