Final answer:
Type 1 diabetes is the autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin and the requirement for lifetime insulin therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas is type 1 diabetes. This condition is characterized by an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells within the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. Type 1 diabetes leads to impaired glucose control due to the lack of insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. To manage the condition, individuals must closely monitor their blood glucose levels and administer insulin as necessary. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which involves insulin resistance, type 1 diabetes requires lifetime management with insulin therapy due to the autoimmune destruction of insulin-secreting cells.