Producing Insulin from GM Bacteria

1. mRNA from beta cells of the pancreas is extracted.

2. mRNA with the code for human insulin is identified and isolated.
3. mRNA is incubated with reverse transcriptase (a retrovirus) and free nucleotides to form single-
stranded DNA.
4. This DNA is converted into double-stranded DNA (cDNA) using DNA polymerase.
5. DNA is cut with restriction enzymes to form sticky ends.
6. Plasmids from bacteria are cut with the same restriction enzyme to produce sticky ends.
7. Insulin DNA and plasmid DNA are mixed with ligase.
8. Sticky end bases form hydrogen bonds.
9. The recombinant plasmid is taken up by bacteria (e.g. Eschericha coli).
10. The transformed bacteria are identified and cloned.
11. These bacteria produce insulin, growing in a fermenter.
12. Insulin is extracted from the bacteria and purified.

The Advantages of Genetically Engineered Insulin

It is cheaper to produce in large volumes.
It has fewer ethical and moral objections.
It is more effective because it is an exact copy of human insulin whereas animal insulin has slight
differences.
There is no immune response to it.
It is more rapid in action because it is identical to human insulin.
Some patients develop a tolerance to animal insulin.
There is no risk of infection being transferred.
Supplies are not dependent on factors such availability through the meat trade.