Insulin from GM Lettuce Relieves Diabetes in Mice

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed genetically modified (GM) lettuce plants containing the insulin gene. Capsules of insulin produced in GM lettuce could hold the key to restoring the body's ability to produce insulin and help millions of people who suffer from insulin-dependent diabetes.

Freeze-dried plant cells of the GM lettuce were administered to five-week-old diabetic mice as a powder for eight weeks. By the end of the study, the diabetic mice had normal blood and urine sugar levels, and their cells were producing normal levels of insulin. Those results and prior research indicate that insulin capsules could someday be used to prevent diabetes before symptoms appear, and to treat the disease in its later stages, according to Professor Henry Daniell, head of the research team.

The complete news article is available at http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=0024004102c4c1d99011146fc1c3200521b.