Genetically Modified Cows To Produce Human Insulin

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on April 25, 2007

Using cloning and genetic modification, scientists have created four calves capable of producing human insulin in their milk. Insulin is used to treat type-1 diabetes and the most severe cases of the more common type-2 diabetes.

The newborn Jersey heifers -- who the scientists have named Patagonia 1, 2, 3 and 4 -- will start producing the human hormone when they reach adulthood, said the biotechnology company behind the project, Bio Sidus.

Once these genetically modified cows produce milk, the insulin will be isolated and purified. Scientists expect this method to be more cut down the cost of insulin production and hope to introduce the GM-insulin into the market in the next couple of years. More details from the report in Scientific American.