Cheap Insulin from Cow's Milk
There are approximately 200 million diabetics in the world. Patients suffering from type-1 diabetes need injections of insulin for treatment because their pancreas cannot produce insulin to control blood glucose level. Insulin for the injection is usually made from cow, horse, or pig which is very similar to human insulin. However, many patients cannot obtain enough insulin because of its availability and high cost.
In April 2007, it was reported that Argentine scientists created four calves which can produce human insulin in their milk. Although some research has already been done to produce proteins using goats and cows, their achievement may allow people who have diabetes to take enough insulin with lower cost.
To create clone calves, they removed selected cells from a cattle fetus and splice in the human insulin gene. Then, they extracted the nuclei which were genetically modified from these cells and fused them into cattle eggs using cloning technique.
After fertilisation and the eggs started dividing, the eggs were implanted in four mother cows. When calves get mature and start lactating, the milk will be purified to pick up insulin.
Argentina is the third biggest beef exporter in the world and is also known for having cloned livestock. The scientists are confident that only 25 cows which produce insulin will be enough for 1.5 million diabetic patients in Argentina. They are aiming that their milk can be sold on the market in a few years.
References
Popper, H., 2007, Argentine cow clones to produce insulin in milk, Netscape
http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/04/17/argentine-cow-clones-to-produce-insulin-in-milk/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2FhealthNews%2FidUSN1744610320070417%3FfeedType%3DRSS&frame=true
(Accessed: 25/5/2007)
DNA News: Genetics, Paternity, 2007, Cow makes human insulin, News and facts on DNA and society issues
http://www.paternitytestinglabs.com/
(Accessed: 26/5/2007)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia, 2005, Diabetes Fact Sheets
http://www.jdrf.org.au/publications/factsheets/type1diabetes.html
(Accessed: 29/5/2007)
In April 2007, it was reported that Argentine scientists created four calves which can produce human insulin in their milk. Although some research has already been done to produce proteins using goats and cows, their achievement may allow people who have diabetes to take enough insulin with lower cost.
To create clone calves, they removed selected cells from a cattle fetus and splice in the human insulin gene. Then, they extracted the nuclei which were genetically modified from these cells and fused them into cattle eggs using cloning technique.
After fertilisation and the eggs started dividing, the eggs were implanted in four mother cows. When calves get mature and start lactating, the milk will be purified to pick up insulin.
Argentina is the third biggest beef exporter in the world and is also known for having cloned livestock. The scientists are confident that only 25 cows which produce insulin will be enough for 1.5 million diabetic patients in Argentina. They are aiming that their milk can be sold on the market in a few years.
References
Popper, H., 2007, Argentine cow clones to produce insulin in milk, Netscape
http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/04/17/argentine-cow-clones-to-produce-insulin-in-milk/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2FhealthNews%2FidUSN1744610320070417%3FfeedType%3DRSS&frame=true
(Accessed: 25/5/2007)
DNA News: Genetics, Paternity, 2007, Cow makes human insulin, News and facts on DNA and society issues
http://www.paternitytestinglabs.com/
(Accessed: 26/5/2007)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia, 2005, Diabetes Fact Sheets
http://www.jdrf.org.au/publications/factsheets/type1diabetes.html
(Accessed: 29/5/2007)
