Brazil – In a landmark achievement announced just last week on March 18, 2024, scientists have created the first cow genetically modified to produce human insulin in its milk. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize access to this life-saving medication for diabetics worldwide.

The research, a collaboration between Brazilian and American scientists, involved inserting a human gene coding for proinsulin, an inactive form of insulin, into cow embryos. The resulting calf, a brown bovine currently residing in Brazil, produces milk containing both human insulin and proinsulin.

“Mother Nature designed the mammary gland as a factory to make protein really efficiently,” said Matt Wheeler, a professor of animal sciences at the University of Illinois and co-author of the study published in Biotechnology Journal. “We can take advantage of this system to produce a protein that can help hundreds of millions of people worldwide.”

While the cow seems to convert proinsulin into mature insulin naturally, further research is needed to optimize the process. Scientists will need to determine the most efficient way to extract and purify the insulin from the milk before humans can use it.

This discovery offers a promising solution to the high cost and limited accessibility of insulin, a critical medication for people with diabetes. If successful, this method could significantly increase insulin production and potentially lower costs for patients.

However, some caution is warranted. The use of genetically modified animals in medicine is a relatively new field, and further research is needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Despite these considerations, the creation of the insulin-producing cow marks a significant advancement in diabetes treatment. This breakthrough holds the potential to improve the lives of millions struggling with this chronic condition.