Senate Debates Over Cloning
The issue of stem-cell research is far from resolved, and a new bill passed by the House of Representatives has intensified the debate.
The bill attempts to ban all forms of human cloning. This would prevent researchers from cloning stem cells for transplant purposes. Those who oppose this blanket banning of cloning have written an opposing bill which would allow cloning for the sole purpose of producing stem cells for research. This second bill has been backed by the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, whose members include leading universities as well as groups representing people with diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injury.
The senate is expected to debate these opposing bills in March.
  
Diabetes In Blacks And Latinos
Although the rate of diabetes among African Americans and Latinos is much higher than in Caucasians, a recent study shows that awareness of the disease as well as its treatment appears to be lacking in these groups.
The study was conducted through a partnership of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and GlaxoSmithKline. They interviewed 117 African-Americans and 115 Latinos with Type 2 diabetes to determine their awareness of the disesase and their risk for other health problems. Also, 536 African-Americans and 556 Latinos without the disease were surveyed to determine their overall understanding of the disease.
According to the U.S. Office of Minority Health, diabetes is 70% more likely in African-Americans than in Caucasions. The number of Latinos with diabetes is almost double the number of Caucasians with the disease. African Americans and Latinos are also more likely to have serious health problems due to uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes.
Although the most effective way to determine a person's control of his/her diabetes is the HbA1c test, which shows a person's blood sugar levels over a three-month period, almost 40% of the study participants did not know what the purpose of the test was. About 50% of the participants did not know what their ideal levels should be.
In addition, study participants were not likely to know that heart disease and diabetes are related conditions, or that there is a connection between heart disease and insulin resistance.
The results of this study, which are published in the newsletter of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., highlight the importance of diabetes education in order to improve control of the disease and prevent further complications from it.
Diet/Exercise Aid Diabetes Prevention
There are many risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, including obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. In a recent study, researchers tested both lifestyle changes and drug therapy to determine their effectiveness in preventing diabetes.
The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The 3234 nondiabetic participants with elevated fasting and post-load plasma glucose concentrations were randomly assigned to one of three groups and followed for an average of 2.8 years. One group was coached to make lifestyle changes in terms of diet and exercise; one group was given the diabetes drug metformin, and the third group was given a placebo.
Those in the lifestyle-change group walked about 2.5 hours per week, and lost an average of 12 pounds. Researchers calculated that for every seven people at high risk for developing diabetes who make these lifestyle changes, one case of diabetes will be prevented every three years. The benefits of diet and exercise were similar across lines of gender, ethnicity, and age.
Those in the drug group had slightly less benefits. The study leaders estimated that for every fourteen people who take metformin regularly, one case of diabetes will be prevented every three years. However, about 78% of the participants who took metformin had other problems such as diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, or vomiting.
Results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (volume 346; pages 393-403; February 5, 2002). Researchers emphasize the importance of seeking medical advice in order to manage diabetes, and prevent further development of the disease.
Studies Focus On Stroke Risk
On February 8, members of the American Stroke Association met in San Antonio to discuss recent studies focusing on the causes of stroke.
One study disucssed during the conference was led by researchers at Tel Aviv University, and focused on the triggers of stroke in jumpy people. The researchers interviewed 150 people to find out what they had been doing just prior to having a stroke. They found that 22% of the people interviewed had had sudden changes in body positions, and 13% had had negative emotions like being upset, guilty, scared, hostile, or nervous.
The researchers postulate that sudden body changes lead to changes in blood flow, which may cause a stroke. Also, the feeling of an adrenaline rush may be accompanied by substances called catecholamines that may cause the blood to clot. In addition, all of the participants in the study also had another condition that is associated with a higher risk of stroke, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
In another study conducted by Tel Aviv University, 10,059 men were followed for 23 years to track their health records. All of the men were at least 40 at the beginning of the study, and 364 of the men died of stroke. The researchers measured the men's height, and surveyed them about their family life and financial status. They found that men who had the least family conflicts were less likely to die of a stroke. In addition, men who had the least financial worries were less likely to die of a stroke. The shortest participants were 54% more likely to die of a stroke than the tallest men.
The authors of this study are not clear why there appears to be a link between stroke and family conflict, financial status, and height. They hypothesize that men who have unhappy home lives may be less likely to take care of their health and follow doctor recommendations. Alternatively, years of emotional trauma may somehow damage blood vessels. In terms of height, the researchers believe that childhood nutrition may play a part in determining height and health status as an adult.
Researchers are particularly interested in the risk factors for stroke, as understanding the risks may lead to the prevention of stroke altogether.
FDA Bans Animal-Transplant Blood Donors?
In order to give blood, potential donors must complete an extensive screening in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease. That screening tool may become even more complex as the FDA decides whether people who have been the recipients of animal transplants may give blood.
Last week, the FDA issued a proposal to bar blood donation from people who have had animal tissue transplants, and those who have had sexual contact with people who have had these transplants. The concern is that blood banks might not be able to screen for viruses and bacteria that may be present in the transplanted tissue.
Because of the scarcity of tissue, blood, and organ donors, scientists are becoming increasingly interested in the possibility of transplants from animals. One such transplant that researchers hope to begin clinical studies soon is that of transplanting insulin-producing cells from pigs into people with diabetes. This causes concern because viruses may also be passed to the human host, and may lie latent for quite some time before a disease develops.
The FDA now mandates that blood centers ask potential donors if they have had a transplant from a human donor in the past year. If they have, they are not to donate blood. The FDA is now proposing that blood centers also ask donors if they, their sexual partner, or any other member of their household has ever had a transplant that involved exposure to an animal product. If so, the FDA proposes that the blood centers not accept blood donations from that individual.
The FDA is likely to pass this proposal, at least until more is known about the effects of animal tissue transplants.
Parents Help Their Kids Exercise
As a reaction to the growing problem of obesity in the US, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has released new guidelines for parents to help their children exercise more.
This nonprofit group examined about 40 studies on the effects of obesity, and released recommendations as a response. They encourage parents to make sure that children even as young as three years old get at least one hour of physical exercise per day. Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 should get at least 30 minutes of exercise, and should not be sedentary for more than 30 minutes at a time if they are not sleeping.
Studies have shown that children who are obese often grow up to be adults who are obese, and are therefore at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Researchers hope that this can be prevented if children are encouraged to exercise at a young age.
Information provided by The Diabetes Mall @ http://www.diabetesnet.com
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