Researchers are looking at lettuce as a possible cure for diabetes.
"This would be not only a cure, but an inexpensive cure," diabetes
researcher Dr. Henry Daniell told KMBC's Kelly Eckerman.
Could it be that simple? Could a cure for diabetes exist in
genetically modified lettuce?Here's how it works: A lettuce leaf is placed
in a machine and then injected with a human gene for insulin. The leaf is
essentially producing human insulin, Eckerman reported.

It has been tested on mice. Daniell said he was shocked by the
results. By the end of the study, the diabetic mice had normal blood and
urine.

"Once this autoimmune problem was cured, the beta cells came back to
life and produced normal levels of insulin," Daniell said.

The lettuce has been tested on mice only, which has drawn criticism.

"We've been learning more and more to our disappointment that the type
of diabetes that mice get, that we often study, does not translate well into
humans in many instances. So I think one has to hold back their enthusiasm
and let it play out in the scientific community," said Dr. David Robbins, an
endocrinologist at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Eckerman reported that similar research to produce insulin has been
tried before with carrots. It provided information, but not a cure.

Researchers said that the genetically altered lettuce is a valuable
breakthrough. Eckerman reported that results were seen in mice after eight
weeks of treatment.

For humans, the lettuce is ground into fine powder and placed in
capsules.

If scientists find a way to duplicate results in humans, which could
be years away, it could mean eliminating daily injections for those with
type 1 diabetes.

"I think the technology is more interesting than the results. It's one
more way of learning what will work and what won't work. These things are
all little steps that sooner or later may lead to the breakthrough. But I'm
not sure this is it," Robbins said.

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