Stem cell experts hold potential for diabetes cure

The idea of a diabetes cure is often picked up in the diabetic and non-diabetic news, yet the actual holy grail never seems to be found. Many diabetics are understandably disgruntled by the constant promise, and equally constant lack of fulfilment, of a cure for their condition.
However, fresh reports indicate that experts in the stem cell research field who are gathered in Edinburgh this week could be closing in on cures for several major diseases and problems, including blindness and type 1 diabetes .
Stem cell treatment, which could one day also prevent heart disease and stroke, is progressing quickly. The scientists were gathered at the first ever UK National Stem Cell Network Science Meeting.
University College London Doctor Chris Mason was reported as commenting: “People are beginning to experience the real value of stem cell therapies .”
He also reportedly continued: “The problem with the drugs we see on the market just now is they are only able to manage the condition. By developing stem cell therapies, we will deliver treatments which actually cure the patient. Type 1 diabetes is a great example. We can manage the disease with insulin . But a one-off injection of stem cells would make treatment affordable, even in the poorest developing countries, where health services cannot afford the lifelong cost of insulin for diabetics .”