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The hormone insulin is used as a medicine to treat diabetes. It used to be difficult to obtain sufficient amounts for all diabetic patients. We can now use genetic engineering to make large quantities. Insulin is a protein and one
particular gene is responsible for making it. This gene is taken out of
a cell and put into another cell (usually into a bacterium) and since
bacteria reproduce very quickly lots of insulin can be produced.
Growth hormone, which is used to help people who are not growing properly,
can also be made by genetic engineering.
Useful Links:
http://www.diabetic.org.uk/
http://www.eibe.info/
http://academy.d20.co.edu/kadets/lundberg/paper.html
http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/