Step 1: Understand how insulin was produced earlier.
Earlier, insulin used for treating diabetes was extracted from the pancreas of animals such as pigs and cattle. This type of insulin was called animal insulin. Although it helped control blood glucose levels, its structure was slightly different from human insulin. Because of this difference, some patients developed allergic reactions, immune responses, and side effects after using animal-derived insulin.
Step 2: Understand insulin produced using rDNA technology.
With the advancement of biotechnology, scientists started producing insulin using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. In this method, the human insulin gene is inserted into microorganisms such as bacteria (commonly Escherichia coli). These microorganisms then produce insulin that is structurally identical to natural human insulin.
Step 3: Advantages of genetically engineered insulin.
Functional insulin produced through rDNA technology is better because:
1. It is identical to human insulin, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
2. It is safer and more effective for diabetic patients.
3. It can be produced in large quantities using microbial cultures.
4. It ensures high purity and consistent quality compared to animal insulin.
5. It eliminates the need to extract insulin from animals, making the process more ethical and reliable.
Final Answer:
Functional insulin produced by rDNA technology is better because it is identical to human insulin, highly pure, safer for patients, and can be produced in large quantities without causing allergic reactions associated with animal-derived insulin.