Genetically modified cows have been successful in producing milk containing human insulin, potentially revolutionizing the availability and cost of this essential drug for diabetics. A joint study conducted by scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and San Paulo University has demonstrated that utilizing cows for insulin production could help eliminate insulin deficiency and lower its cost.
The lead author of the study, Matt Wiler, highlights the efficiency of the Milky gland as a “protein factory,” enabling the use of this system for insulin production. During the study, human DNA segments encoding insulin were inserted into the cells of ten cow embryos, resulting in the birth of a transgenic calf capable of producing insulin in its milk.
Although the quantity of milk produced was lower than anticipated, both insulin and active insulin were detected in the milk. This discovery has the potential to greatly enhance insulin availability, particularly in regions with low to moderate income levels where access to the drug is restricted due to high costs and limited production.
The ultimate goal of the study is to scale-up insulin production to a level where a single cow can meet insulin demands for several years. With a Golstinsky cow generating up to 50 liters of milk daily and one gram of insulin equating to 28.818 units, the insulin production potential is substantial.
Researchers are planning to clone transgenic cows to optimize complete lactation cycles in future generations and are exploring the idea of breeding transgenic bulls to establish a herd specializing in insulin production. This innovative approach could surpass current insulin production methods without the need for sophisticated technology or infrastructure.
Before transgenic cows can supply insulin to the global market, an efficient system for harvesting and purifying the product needs to be developed, along with regulatory approval. However, scientists are confident that this vision will soon become a reality, envisioning a future where a small cow herd could cater to a country’s insulin needs, and a larger herd could meet global demand within a year. The study is detailed in the Biotechnology Journal.