Breakthrough Insulin Cell Transplant, Osteoporosis Drug Risks, and COVID Vaccine Side Effects Discussion

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 8-07-2025:

• Dr. Dawn opens with groundbreaking news about the first successful islet cell transplant for type 1 diabetes without immunosuppression. A 42-year-old man received gene-edited donor cells that were modified to avoid immune rejection by removing tissue compatibility markers and adding protective proteins. The transplanted cells in his forearm began producing insulin autonomously, reducing his A1C by 42% over 12 weeks. This breakthrough could lead to off-the-shelf diabetes treatments without the cancer and infection risks of immunosuppressive drugs.
• She critiques a case where a patient was prescribed an expensive new osteoporosis drug without trying conservative treatments first. Dr. Dawn explains how this monoclonal antibody works by blocking sclerostin, essentially cutting the brake lines on bone formation. While effective for severe osteoporosis, the drug increases heart attack and stroke risk by 15%. She advocates for trying lifestyle changes, exercise, and established treatments before resorting to newer, more dangerous medications with questionable risk-benefit ratios.
• A caller asks about a pustular rash on his upper body that his acupuncturist suggests might be related to COVID vaccination. Dr. Dawn addresses the distribution pattern of the rash, suggesting possible causes like hot tub folliculitis or topical allergies based on the location. She discusses how to evaluate rashes by their characteristics and distribution rather than jumping to vaccine-related conclusions.
• The caller inquires about vaccine development timelines and whether rushed approval during COVID might have missed serious side effects. Dr. Dawn explains that mRNA vaccine technology existed for 10 years before COVID and discusses her theory about vaccine side effects. She describes how spike proteins may temporarily deplete anti-inflammatory mechanisms, leading to flare-ups of existing conditions like eczema or arthritis, but emphasizes these effects are generally temporary and rebuilding occurs over time.
• Caller asks about RFK Jr.'s stance on vaccine research and the long-term implications of reducing vaccine development. Dr. Dawn provides a nuanced response about problems with the current vaccine system, including government-guaranteed markets that incentivize overproduction of vaccines. She discusses the evolution from essential vaccines for devastating diseases to newer vaccines for less critical conditions, explaining the economic forces that drive development and the resulting over-vaccination in healthy populations versus the need to protect vulnerable individuals.
• Dr. Dawn concludes with an innovative medical technology - a robot mattress designed to prevent pressure ulcers in immobilized patients. The mattress contains 1,260 independently controlled pistons that create undulating checkerboard patterns, alternating pressure points to stimulate blood flow. Research showed that brief high pressure followed by relief works better than constant low pressure, reducing pressure ulcer areas by 34 times compared to standard foam padding.