Could Pigs Be The New Soldiers In Fighting Diabetes?

Filed in archive Research on February 21, 2006

More exciting news in the area of Diabetes Research: pig pancreas cells, when injected into monkeys, have been successful in reversing diabetes.

Of course, we aren't pigs or monkeys, but scientists are hopeful that the experiment will be successful in people, too.

What do you think? Is it possible to go too far in innovative research, or is anything fair game in fighting such a pervasive epidemic?

From Minnesota Daily:


Bernhard Hering, professor of surgery and lead investigator of the study, said that as a result of the research, "a critical milestone has been met."

This discovery could make islet cell - a pancreatic cell that produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon - transplantation for persons with diabetes widely available and has potential as a cure for the disease.