Posted by Sue Huson on April 30, 1998 at 17:33:25:
In Reply to: Treatment or Cure ? It's all in the name. posted by Dianne on April 29, 1998 at 19:37:12:
In this article, two doctors have taken islets from mice, eliminated the gene that produces the protein that appears to promote beta-cell destruction, and returned the islets to the mice. These cells will then produce insulin and the mice are cured of diabetes. The doctor is quoted as saying, "The discovery has exciting potential for islet transplantation because the protein could be knocked out in the patient's own islets, then transplanted back, eliminating fear of transplant rejection as the body would not see the islets as foreign."
So, let me get this straight, because, as a non-scientist, I find this a little far-fetched, but maybe someone can help me here.
While I am alive, they are going to cut me open, and remove all my beta cells? This sounds like major surgery to me. From what I've heard before, islets are hard to harvest from humans and pigs because they are scattered throughout the pancreas. I'm told it takes an awfully big pig to get a significant number of islets. I don't consider myself a really big pig, maybe just one that could stand to lose a few pounds, but somehow they're going to get enough of my islet out, and after 30 years of diabetes, restore enough of them to health to cure me?
Someone please explain this research to me, because it made enough sense to peer reviewers at the MRC and the JDF to allow them to be part of a Center of Excellence that received 5 million dollars.
Personally, I would much rather take my chances with injected pig islets, and wish those involved in funding organizations would as well. If I can act like I'm cured, even if technically I'm not, what the heck do I care.