Some background information about diabetes (from wikipedia):There are 3 main types of diabetes. "Type 1 is usually due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely; it sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Gestational diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, in that it involves insulin resistance. The hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance in those women genetically predisposed to developing this condition. Types 1 and 2 are incurable chronic conditions, but have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921. Gestational diabetes typically resolves with delivery."
http://www.SpringPointProject.org is an organization that is sponsoring a very special pig farm. "The 21,000 square-foot bio-secure building will be home to approximately 100 high-health, 'medical-grade' pigs. Pancreatic islet cells from those pathogen-free pigs will be used for transplantation into diabetes patients in clinical trials. "
Diabetes is a huge problem, with lots of nasty sequelae: "There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7 percent of the population, who have diabetes. Diabetes alone represents 11 percent of the nation's health care expenditure."
It's a long shot, but if it works, it will change the world.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070222181055.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment