Insulin from Skin Cells

Last week researchers from the University of North Carolina reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry their success in transforming human skin fibroblasts into insulin producing cells, providing encouragement worldwide to those seeking treatments for diabetes. Indeed, more and more research is demonstrating that "adult stem cells" can be induced to form pluripotent cells with astounding flexibility and potential for treating human disease. It may even be that these cells are more useful than anything that could be derived from human embryos? Certainly, the problems of availability and immune rejection are much diminished. Alas, this will not make the intellectual and political elite very happy. That is those who would love to continue using the embryonic stem cell issue to drive a wedge between pro-life and pro-life leaning Americans, and to promote their "whatever it takes", utilitarian agenda. Thankfully, the vast majority of citizens would be thrilled to see cures developed without the need to degrade innocent human life. What we are seeing now is that given the resources, time and scientific will this goal is achievable. Let's hope California is taking notice.