Posted by Bob Smart on October 21, 2002 at 23:07:39:
There are 2 halves to the problem. One is to get new islet cells. Maybe that's easy and there are stem cells in the pancreas that can easily be talked into creating islet cells - certainly Dr Vinik thinks so. The other half is to stop the autoimmune attack on the islets. For a slightly drastic but apparently safe approach see the report of recreating your bone marrow from your own stem cells, as a treatment for very severe rheumatoid arthritis. A medico might like to suggest why this isn't tried for more serious autoimmune diseases like MS.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s707546.htm
Bob