This programme gives us an update on the treatment and prevention of diabetes. There are two types of the disease, but in both cases the increased concentration of glucose in the blood can have dire long-term affects—for example, on a patient’s eye-sight, kidney function and nerve system. All that has been known for a long time, but what do we know now how best to treat diabetes? There is, for example, a genetic component. Some scientists are therefore looking into the possibility of erasing the original—faulty—immune system of the patient and resetting it.
Speakers:
- Jan van Breenen: Ex-Type-1-Diabetes Patient, Lisse, Netherlands
- Dr. Bart Roep: Immunologist, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands
- Hans Romijn: Professor of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
- Dr. Hans de Fijter: transplant physician, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
Producer: Liesbeth de Bakker
Broadcast: August 23, 2003