Stem cell therapy used to control diabetes in mice

Scientists from the biotechnology company Novocell reported yesterday that they were able to regulate diabetes in mice by harnessing human embryonic stem cells. This research moves us a step closer to the possibility of one day using embryonic cells to treat the disease in people.

To effectuate these results, scientists changed stem cells into insulin-producing cells in mice, and those cells continued to keep blood sugar stable after the mice's own insulin-producing cells were destroyed.

In an interview with New York Times reporters, Dr. Camillo Ricordi, director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami (but not involved in the study), stated "For those who say there is not much evidence that embryonic stem cells can cure diabetes, there you go,"

However, there are still some significant hurdles for the researchers to overcome before any human trials could take place. For one, a small number of the mice developed tumors. And, many experts feel that the cells might not be well-characterized enough for use in people. So, it may be quite some time before we hear more about this research. Nevertheless, it is great to know that such significant strides in the battle against diabetes are being made.