Final answer:
Genetically engineered bacteria like E. coli are used to produce human insulin through recombinant DNA technology. By inserting the human insulin gene into bacterial DNA, these bacteria become biofactories, creating human insulin that is purer and less likely to cause allergic reactions than insulin from animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic engineering allows bacteria to be transformed to produce human insulin, a process that began in 1978 using E. coli. This biotechnological advancement involves the insertion of the human insulin gene into bacterial DNA, enabling these transformed bacteria to function as biofactories. These bacterial factories mass-produce insulin, which can then be harvested, purified, and used to treat patients with diabetes.
The recombinant DNA technology involves transferring the insulin gene into a bacterial plasmid, a circular piece of DNA within bacterial cells. Once the plasmid is taken up by the bacterial cell through transformation, the host cell's machinery reads the gene's instructions to synthesize the insulin protein. Since the protein produced is identical to human insulin, it reduces the risk of allergic reactions and other complications associated with animal-sourced insulin.
This genetic engineering process not only benefits diabetic patients by providing a more suitable therapeutic product but also makes the treatment more accessible and affordable. The host bacterium, typically E. coli, is easy to cultivate, which allows insulin to be manufactured on an industrial scale. Genetic engineering has paved the way for the production of various therapeutic proteins and holds potential for future medical advancements like DNA vaccines and gene therapies.