Stem Cells Aid In Fight Against Diabetes

Filed in archive Research on August 30, 2006

Is there any scientific experimentation more controversial than stem cell research? Probably not: those who support it do so with vehemence, as do those who oppose it.

Stem cells have shown to be significant in treating a myriad of conditions, including diabetes.

A legislative panel studying stem cell research got the opportunity Tuesday to put a human face on the complex subject when it heard from a diabetic man who no longer needs insulin injections after having cells from a cadaver pancreas infused into his liver.

Alex O'Meara of Richmond told the subcommittee of senators, delegates and medical professionals that the drugs he must take to prevent his liver from rejecting the new cells have some side effects, including high blood pressure and fatigue, but diabetes is much worse.

"Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and amputation," O'Meara said. "The clock was ticking on my developing some kind of complication. No way I'd go back."

O'Meara's transplant surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Brayman of the University of Virginia, said the success of the 41-year-old Richmond man's treatment illustrates the potential benefit of a therapy still in its infancy.

"You're only limited by your imagination," Brayman said of the maladies that ultimately might be treated with stem cell therapy.

You can read the rest of the article here.
(Don't worry about registering. Use this handy login shortcut: Username-ilikebugs, password-bugmenot)

How far would you go to stay--or become--healthy?