Of Stem Cell and Cures:

Diabetes and the stem cell promise 

The search for a cure, or even a less-complicated treatment, is still on a long road to its goal. 

By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times
November 7, 2011 

Ever since scientists started talking about the medical potential of embryonic stem cells, curing Type 1 diabetes has been one of the dearest dreams.
When researchers announced in 1998 that they had derived stem cells from human embryos, their landmark report flagged juvenile-onset diabetes as a disease that might be treated by stem cell transplants. 

In the run-up to the 2004 vote on California's Proposition 71, diabetes was repeatedly mentioned as a target by scientists campaigning to form a state-backed stem cell agency. 

Years later, the promise remains. But success has been elusive. MORE

Spoiler alert: The last line of this article is the the most telling and why better treatments matter as well as cure research: "Next century, when you look back at it, two decades won't seem like much. But for those affected right now, every month is too long."


http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-diabetes-stem-cells-20111107,0,5759144.story