I don't mind high sugars as much as I loathe lows. Personally I'm not so ruffled by shots either (but my liver begs to differ). However, in a message posted on The Islet Foundation, Pfizer reported that insulin-dependent diabetics declared they most hate taking shots. Was this the warm-up for the Exubera campaign? Here's a fact I support! A close second to this hatred is the hypos. Any diabetic will confess -- hypos are unforgiving. So what if you could catch two birds with one capsule?

I must reiterate the scientific genius behind the Oramed gel caps. The encapsulated insulin bypasses destruction in the stomach cavity. It reaches an entry point in the intestines where it reports for duty to the liver. This allows the liver to resume command of the glucose metabolism, just like Mother Nature intended. Whey you inject insulin - you are overriding the livers ability to monitor blood sugar and putting yourself in the line of fire for the dangerous lows. We all know this state of derangement too well. You won't find my lows picture on a milk carton if I happen to lose it, either.

Frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (even mild ones) force the brain to become accustomed to the low glucose. Unfortunately this also causes suppressed signaling of adrenaline, the livers last resort before dangerous lows. More specifically, the glucose transporters located in the brain cells are damaged from frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. So what was once the hypo threshold for the brain to signal adrenalin release becomes lower. Clinically, the result is hypoglycemic unawareness. Down with the shots, down with the lows and big ups with the future of diabetes control! Now we're getting somewhere.

Phosphagenics Limited is developing a skin gel that administers insulin. They are currently testing the effect of long-acting insulin in the patented formula.

Research has demonstrated that a single application of the insulin gel rapidly delivered insulin into the bloodstream without any adverse reactions. Additionally, it significantly lowered blood glucose, insulin and c-peptide levels.

The company has been working on improving drug effectiveness and cost efficiency through a process called phosphorylation. Many enzymes and receptors are switched "on" or "off" by phosphorylation, including the glucose lowering properties of insulin. Once inside the skin -- enzymes activate these properties, impacting the blood sugar. This does not cause irritation to the skin, allows for a sustained release of medication in just one application, begins to take effect within an hour of application, can be used with many forms of prescriptions (small and large molecule medicines), and is economical to produce.

If it significantly reduced c-peptide levels, this might be more appropriate for type 2 diabetics - for a temporary basis. Judging by numbers, majority rules and since 80% of diabetics are type 2...this could be a feather in the capitalists cap for pain-free insulin delivery. However, if blood sugar control becomes as easy as a handi-wipe, how motivated will anyone be to eat right and exercise? Wash your hands for dinner, please.