We live in California where the Governor just signed a bill approving research for finding a cure for diabetes. How will this motivate doctors and scientists to develop a cure? How close are we to finding a cure with the stem cell research?

My personal feeling is that the nearest we shall get to a cure in the next few years will be when insulin pump manufacturers are able to devise a reasonably durable glucose sensor and to use it to safely and reliably control a pump. Good progress is being made.

Stem cell transplantation as an alternative to islet cell transplants which works, but is handicapped by the lack of donors and the present need for lifetime immunosuppression, is under vigorous scrutiny but still many years away from human trials. Political issues did indeed hamper stem cell research for a number of years until it was realised that stem cells from bone marrow and other tissues could be diverted to insulin production.

DOB