Breakthrough: Transgenic Cow Produces Human Insulin in Milk
Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in diabetes treatment with the creation of the world’s first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk. Led by scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Universidade de São Paulo, this breakthrough could revolutionize insulin production, potentially alleviating drug scarcity and reducing costs for millions of people living with diabetes. Professor Matt Wheeler, affiliated with multiple academic institutions including the University of Illinois, spearheaded the project. In a study published in the Biotechnology Journal, Wheeler and his team described the development of the insulin-producing cow, showcasing its potential to be scaled up for widespread use pending further testing and FDA approval. The transgenic cow was created by inserting a segment of human DNA coding for proinsulin into the nuclei of cow embryos. Through advanced genetic engineering techniques, the human DNA w...