O Levels Biology (5090)•5090/11/M/J/22

Explanation
Cost advantage of recombinant insulin
Steps:
- Recombinant DNA technology inserts human insulin genes into bacteria for mass production.
- Bacteria culture yields large quantities of insulin efficiently without animal sourcing.
- Animal insulin extraction involves costly harvesting and purification from pancreases.
- This makes bacterial insulin cheaper overall for patients.
Why D is correct:
- Recombinant production scales via bacterial replication, reducing costs per unit compared to labor-intensive animal extraction.
Why the others are wrong:
- A: Insulin treats existing diabetes but does not prevent its development.
- B: Insulin replacement therapy does not regenerate pancreatic cells.
- C: Human insulin causes fewer allergic reactions and side effects than animal-derived versions.
Final answer: D
Topic: Genetic modification
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