The ADA 67th Scientific Sessions in Chicago started today and there has been a noisy buzz on everything diabetes.

However, what picked my interest more is the research development on oral insulin.

Type 1 diabetics are dependent on insulin. While type 2 diabetics do not, still at a later stage, they will insulin as well. At the moment, insulin is only available by injection. Of course there are ongoing trials and investigation on oral insulin, but as far as I know, nothing approved in the market yet, everything is still investigational.

Here are a few recent lead stories I got on oral insulin:

'Insulin pill" hope for diabetes - a UK company, Diabetology and Cardiff University experts may have solved the previous setback on oral insulin with their capsules' special coating that protects the drug from acids in the stomach, allowing it to pass into the small intestine where it is absorbed.

Capsules against diabetes - Biotechnologists at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have developed a new type of alginate capsule -called TAM (the Trondheim Alginate Microcapsule) - that could solve the problem of the body's immune system recognizing and attacking alien, implanted insulin cells. The said gel capsule is designed with a view to camouflage the insulin-producing cells to the body's immune system.

But wouldn't that be the day? When diabetics can just pop their insulin doses into their mouth instead of injecting them?

There is still hope.

[Photo Credit: BBC News]