Complications often occur, especially in children, for whom diabetes is the most common chronic disease. However, our best hope for now is continued research using animals to understand how insulin works. Studies are underway at Henry Ford Hospital, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan using dogs, rats, and other animals to understand diabetes and the role insulin plays, and to develop better treatment. Dogs, because of their closer similarity in size to humans, are particularly important for transplant studies. Pancreas transplants, which are now being performed in Michigan, offer patients dying from the deleterious effects of diabetes their only chance for survival.
Animal research remains a critical factor to understanding diabetes.
If research stopped, the cost in human suffering would be enormous. Both the cost and suffering will be dramatically reduced when a cure for diabetes is found. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science.