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In an attempt to increase the natural Insulin production in the human body, researchers are trying to coax human embryonic cells (ES) into insulin producing cells. If successful, the newly trained ES may be able to produce enough insulin to negate the effects of Type 1 and some forms of Type 2 Diabetes.

In the research study, premature ES cells were transplanted into test mice who had previously been treated with a chemical to destroy all native beta cells. Within two to three months of treatment, the new ES cells began developing and releasing enough insulin to maintain proper glucose levels in the mice.

While previous research focused on the use of pancreatic cells to control diabetes and maintain healthy blood glucose levels, those cells are dependent upon a pancreas donation. The donations of the pancreas are few and far between, leading researchers to try and find an alternative path for recreating insulin producing cells.