Last November, I forgot to take my Swiss Army Champ Knife out of my purse before going to JFK Airport. So, for being stupid, it cost me a kick-ass pocket knife I'd had since 6th grade. Live and learn. But this is pretty interesting - turns out a fellow blogger over at Gadling had an airport security faux pas, as well. Dare I suggest another forgetful diabetic was the culprit permitting the breach of security?

Jamie Rhein's husband was chosen for a routine safety inspection before the family boarded the Skybus. His carry-on was inspected. The goods included: liquid hand-cleaner, a pair of scissors and a mini-wine tasting kit. The kit, unopened at the time - was opened and the corkscrew was confiscated by security. There was a knife attached. The pair of full-metal scissors was allowed. The liquid gel wasn't given back. Red alert danger - I know how tricky soap can be. Watch out!

The irony of Jamie's experience is that halfway through the flight she found an unused hypodermic needle and syringe still in the packaging and two empty medicine vials under her 5 year-old son's seat. One of the crew said there had been a diabetic on board the previous flight. Good cleanup crews are hard to find. That's fine, but with all that security, it was an awakening to be on the lookout for a used needle when searching for her son's spilled crayons. Guess there's no avoiding being on incessant heightened alert. Speaking of -- I asked JFK security to donate my Swiss Army knife, after they told me I had to surrender it. Yeah right. I'm sure the dude who patted me down took it home. Keep it sharp, buddy!

What do you see when you picture THE CURE? The proverbial cure has always been a pill or a shot - just once. Problem solved. Well, if you look at the long list of Type 2 diabetics who have already been cured - it seems a cure will only come one way: the hard way!

Google sent me to this page posted by the Alternative Cancer Treatment Centers. The information first explains where Type 2 diabetes derives: a derangement in essential fatty acids. Specifically and statistically speaking - the fact that we consume twice as many Omega 6s as Omega 3s. The Omega 6s have become the main building blocks of the fats in our diets and therefore the fat in our bodies. This seems to be a triggering event for the rising incidences of obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

So now what? Okay, the page details about 44 things one must do, and continue to do for however long it takes to cure you. Don't read too much into my cynicism. I'm all about the Udo's and dosing up on the Omega 3s over 6s but when the supplement list gets longer than my Christmas List from 1988 - something's got to give! Now does anybody out there have a Type 2 Cure story to share? This is your chance - tell the world your secret to success!

In the summer iof 2004, research funded by JDRF revealed that a mutation of the SUMO-4 gene is a strong factor in the development of type 1 diabetes and the potential associated complications, such as kidney failure.

The gene called SUMO-4 is responsible for signaling the proteins that regulate the intensity and duration of the immune response. When the gene is mutated, it has an increased response to the stimulants of the immune system, that cause it to overreact. This overreaction results in a person's inability to distinguish between self and foreign cells, thus causing type 1 diabetes. The mutated SUMO-4 gene may exacerbate the inflammatory process, influencing the complications of diabetes.

The most influential genes in the development of type 1 diabetes are found in the HLA or human leukocyte antigen region. These genes help regulate the immune system by guiding it to differentiate between self and non-self. Variants of the DR and DQ genes in the HLA region are found in 95% of type 1 diabetics. Another gene that increases the chances of developing type 1 diabetes has been found in the region immediately preceding the insulin gene. This region contains a VNTR or variable number of tandem repeats. This refers to specific chemical bases that make up DNA. Inheritance of certain VNTR's increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Again I reiterate this research was unveiled in 2004. SUMO-4 was identified as a prime target to control the inflammatory process leading to the destruction of islets. As I search Google for, "sumo4, drugs, JDRF" I am terribly disappointed to see that my yearning for answers remains unrequited. Did SUMO-4 fall too hard too fast?