Slashdot Mirror


New Type2 Diabetes Treatment May Provide A Cure

rusty0101 writes "Over at HealthDay, they have an article noting how a new trial drug for Type2 Diabetes may also help provide a cure to diabetes. Its primary benefit is that it does not have the side effect of causing weight gain; in fact on average people in the trial lost 6.3 lb. Note, this isn't a great way to lose weight, but for many Type 2 diabetics, loosing weight can improve their condition." How comfortable would you be swallowing a drug made from Gila monster spit?

5 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. How Comfotable Would I be? by FlipmodePlaya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    'How comfortable would I be swallowing a drug made from Gila monster spit?'

    About as comfortable as I am eating Pig hoof, or whatever is supposed to be hot dogs, I suppose. It's not like they're going to market it as a 'Gila Saliva Supplement'...

    1. Re:How Comfotable Would I be? by Spudley · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Truly, if you are worried about taking drugs made from saliva, then you've got a nasty shock coming when you find out some of the other places we get pharmacuticals from.

      --
      (Spudley Strikes Again!)
    2. Re:How Comfotable Would I be? by NUBlackshirts · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If somebody told me I wouldn't have to take these damn shots the rest of my life, I would eat a whole friggin' Gila Monster!!!

  2. duh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "How comfortable would you be swallowing a drug made from Gila monster spit?"

    A better question: Who wouldn't swallow it if it meant the difference between life and death?

  3. Treatment not cure... by hung_himself · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just a clarification, the article never claims it is a cure, just that it is a better drug to control the symptoms of type II diabetes with fewer side effects. It states that whether it actually stops the deterioration of islet cells in humans (which would be a cure) is not known though it does seem to do so in animals.

    Sounds reasonable and looks promising if true.