Hello Jeff,

>> Just noticed this message.. that would be incredible for people, wouldn't
>> it.. I'm going to tell my Mom.. she's diabetic (I'm not) and I doubt she
>> keeps up with news like this :)


> Hello Janis. I am going to have look into this. My daughter has been a Type 1
>diabetic since 2001. I am curious as to what they mean by the term
"artificial
> pancreas". Are they referring to an artificial organ that is created from a

No, that would certainly be beyond what their talking about..

>person's own body tissue/cells? That would be the only sure way to avoid organ
> rejection. I would also be concerned about any moral/ethical issues which may
> be associated with these developments.

It's a mechanical replacement so to speak.. the "device" as they
called it will "combine existing pump therapy and continuous glucose
monitoring (CGM) technology with sophisticated computer algorithms to help
prevent dangerous, potentially life-threatening low blood sugar levels, as
well as to help prevent complication-inducing high blood sugar
levels."

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/634962.html?chan=rss_to
pEmailedStories_ssi_5

In other words, this will not totally do all the tasks of a real human
pancreas.  People "will still need to input the amount of
carbohydrates they're eating so the insulin pump knows how much insulin is
needed, and manual blood sugar checks will still be necessary to confirm
the CGM readings".

So it's taking some of the scare out of things for people but surely isn't
a cure, and they don't present the device as that.  More they are looking
at this device to ease the strain of the situation for people 'while they
wait for a cure'.  At least that what it seems to me.

> Of course, we also need to keep things in perspective, and remember that men
> of science just love to make boasts about what they are going to do, and when
> they are going to do it. More often than not, their time tables are way off.

Yes, that's often true, sadly enough.

> Sadly, even if they do somehow manage to perfect this technology within four
> years, and assuming that there are no moral issues to contend with, the truth
> is that such an operation will be so expensive, that it will probably only be
> available to the rich and the affluent...but isn't that the way that things
> have always been? Money talks...even in hospitals.

I sure know that's generally true :(  But I think this device will be
approved by the medical community as soon as it's feasible, and then
covered by insurance companies.  If someone like my daughter, who has no
insurance needed it, then forget it.. I'm sure it wouldn't be affordable
unless this country gets some kind of clinics set up for people :(

Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year, Jeff :)

Take care,
Janis

--- BBBS/LiI v4.01 Flag