undation International, and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. In the recent years, diabetes research had led to better ways to manage and treat its complications. There are new forms of purified insulin, better ways for doctors to monitor blood glucose levels, and new ways to test their own blood glucose levels at home. The development of external and implantable insulin pumps that deliver appropriate amounts of insulin, replacing daily injections. Laser treatment is used for diabetic eye disease, thus reducing the risk of blindness. Successful transplantation of kidneys in people whose own kidneys fail because of diabetes. There are better ways of managing diabetic pregnancies, improving the chance of a successful outcome. New drugs to treat Type 2 diabetes and better ways to manage this form of diabetes through weight control. Intensive management of blood glucose reduces and may prevent development of microvascular complications of diabetes. Finally, an antihypertensive drug, called ACE-inhibitors prevents or delays kidney failure in people with diabetes. In the future it may be possible to administer insulin through nasal sprays or in the form of a pill or patch. Devices that can read blood glucose levels without having to prick the finger to get a blood sample are also being developed. Researchers continue to search for the cause or causes of diabetes and ways to prevent and cure the disorder. Scientists are looking for genes that may be involved in Type 2 diabetes and Type 1 diabetes. Some genetic markers for Type 1 diabetes have been identified and it is now possible to screen relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes to see if they are at risk. Transplantation of the pancreas or insulin-producing beta cells offers the best hope of cure for people with Type 1 diabetes. Some pancreas transplants have been successful. However, people who have transplants must take powerful drugs to prevent rejection of...
