Scientists Coax Human Embryonic Stem Cells Into Making Insulin

"A team of Harvard scientists said Thursday that they had finally found a way to turn human embryonic stem cells into cells that produce insulin. The long-sought advance could eventually lead to new ways to help millions of people with diabetes."

"Right now, many people with diabetes have to regularly check the level of sugar in their blood and inject themselves with insulin to keep the sugar in their blood in check. It's an imperfect treatment."

"'This is kind of a life-support for diabetics,' says Doug Melton, a stem-cell researcher at Harvard Medical School. 'It doesn't cure the disease and leads to devastating complications of the disease.'"