Treatments of Diabetes Mellitus

Question 1

What are the two types of treatment for diabetes mellitus?

Answer 1

genetically modified bacteria and stem cells

Question 2

What are the benefits of using genetically modified bacteria?

Answer 2

• human insulin can be made using genetically modified bacteria
• human insulin - fewer immune reactions
• insulin produced is pure - no contamination
• can be made in larger quantities
• faster
• cheaper

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of using genetically modified bacteria?

Answer 3

• use genetically modified bacteria

- some people have religious or ethical objections

Question 4

How can you use stem cells to treat diabetes?

Answer 4

-inject stem cells with the b cells of the iselts of langerhans in the
pancreas
- uses totipotent embryonic stem cells - differentiate into functional b-cells - produces and secretes
insulin

Question 5

What are the benefits of using stem cells for diabetes?

Answer 5

• patients dont need to inject insulin
• treatment lasts for the lifetime of the patient
• requires the use of embroynic stem cells - some people have
  ethical and religious objections
  -stem cells may develop into other cells and cause harm