# Describe how genetic engineering could be used to produce bacteria that make human insulin.

> Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) — 4.3 Selective breeding and genetic engineering · Describe · 4 marks

> People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. Genetic engineering can be used to produce human insulin on a large scale using bacteria.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The human insulin gene is cut from human DNA using restriction enzymes
2. The restriction enzymes create sticky ends on the insulin gene (and the vector/plasmid DNA)
3. The insulin gene is inserted into a vector (plasmid) and joined using ligase to form recombinant DNA
4. The recombinant plasmid is introduced into bacteria, which then produce human insulin

## Key terms

- [genetic engineering](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetic-engineering)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-genetic-engineering-could-be-344bd4bc) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.