Don’t bother reading the boxed text unless you’re a physician. Even then you might skip it. It’s from the journal “Cell.”
What that exercise in ‘academic speak’ says is, Canadian scientists might have found a cure for diabetes. If true, this is amazing news.
In a more human friendly article from Canada’s National Post:
Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas.
Operative words: “healthy overnight.” For families of diabetics, that little phrase is the answer to years of prayers.
You probably know I’m involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I am touched by the stories of the families affected by diabetes. It’s no less tragic when it’s Type 2, or adult onset diabetes.
Children with diabetes have a life span more than ten years shorter than non-diabetic kids. And then there’s the daily trouble and worries that come with being diabetic.
Each year I say, “I hope this is my last JDRF Walk.” Maybe I’ve already walked it!
I sent the article and a brief note to Mary Kessler, who runs the local JDRF chapter.
Try not to get too excited about it yet, we have had these miracles before and they did not translate to humans-but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
She’s right. Some exciting progress, using stem cell research, fizzled only a few months ago. What looked very good at the outset was just an empty promise.
Still, if there’s going to be a cure, it’s likely to start with an announcement like this one. My fingers are crossed.