Hacking diabetes: People break into insulin pumps as an alternative to delayed innovations

Just before the start of Memorial Day weekend, Meg Green meticulously followed online instructions for hacking an insulin pump.

Why? To make the small, computerized device smarter by giving it the capability to adjust itself, acting as an artificial external pancreas.

The hack worked, unlocking a world free of the constant blood sugar monitoring and insulin adjusting that became routine for the 26-year-old with Type 1 diabetes.

"I went out for drinks, and the pump automatically knew how much insulin to give me. I was stable all night,” Green said about the jailbroken device. "It was amazing, I just wanted to cry." 

Diabetes treatment has come a long way over the past few years as technology has evolved.

The professional medical community has developed gadgets equipped with sensors and wireless connectivity that can track blood sugar levels. There’s tech that remotely connects patients with health care providers and even wearables that can deliver medication into the body.

Read more at USA Today