There are 537 million individuals all over the world dealing with diabetes. And that number is growing.
When individuals have Type 1 diabetes, the body immune system attacks and damages the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. These cells control glucose levels in the blood which the body requires for energy. Blood sugar will continue to increase without insulin, so Type 1 diabetics need to inject insulin for the rest of their lives.
But over the past 20 years, considerable developments in stem cell research study and treatments have actually exposed appealing approaches of producing brand-new insulin-making cells, which are required to treat Type 1 diabetes.
Biotech business Vertex Pharmaceuticals just recently started a medical trial where it prepares to deal with 17 individuals who have Type 1 diabetes with brand-new insulin-making cells originated from stem cells. The very first client in the trial, Brian Shelton, has actually had favorable outcomes. After 150 days, Shelton had the ability to decrease the quantity of insulin he injects by 92%.
Other international business are likewise working to treat diabetes, such as ViaCyte, CRISPR, and Novo Nordisk, among the greatest insulin makers on the planet.
Watch the video to hear how stem cell treatment has actually altered Shelton’s life and what other diabetes remedies are being established.
