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Plant-based insulin derived from lettuce, can be taken orally (newatlas.com)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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"Animal cells share some qualities with plant cells, but one key feature ours lack is a rigid cell wall. While this provides structure for plants, it’s also something scientists are increasingly looking at for use in new materials, cellulose technology and, now, insulin delivery."

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That sounds absolutely amazing typ 1 and 2 Diabetes are rising heavily and this could help insanely.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Exactly, I know it always takes a while for these discoveries to become reality but this could potentially be a gamechanger for insulin... and perhaps the technique will be used for other costly-to-make drugs. Will certainly bring a new meaning to "eat your veggies, they'll make you grow big and strong"!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

I was kind of skeptical of how this would be useful. There's no way growing insulin in lettuce is more efficient than growing it in bacteria or yeast. BUT, their lettuce insulin stuff doesn't require refrigeration, which is obviously a huge advantage.