# Explain how genetically modified bacteria are used to produce insulin for people with diabetes.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 5.3 Genetic modification (genetic engineering) · Explain · 4 marks

> Insulin is a hormone that controls blood glucose concentration. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce sufficient insulin. Genetically modified bacteria grown in fermenters can be used to manufacture human insulin on a large scale.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The human insulin gene is cut from human DNA using restriction enzymes
2. The insulin gene is inserted into a plasmid (vector) to form recombinant DNA
3. Ligase is used to join / seal the insulin gene into the plasmid
4. The recombinant plasmid is transferred into bacteria, which are then grown in a fermenter to produce large amounts of insulin

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