diabetes

• type 1 diabetes also known as juvenile-onset diabetesz
• diabetes is caused by the body no longer being able to produce sufficient insulin in order to control blood glucose levels
• type 1


  • genetic
  • younger ages affected
  • autoimmune disease or viral attack
  • monitored diet
  • no stores of glycogen body stops producing insulin
• type 2


  • environmental
  • diagnosed later on in life
  • can be treated with a monitored diet and regular excersize
  • body stops responding to insulin - doesnt make enough insulin
  • non-insulin dependent
  • insulin and/or other medication needed in some cases
• alternatives to insulin injections 


  • insulin pump therapy: a small device constantly pumps insulin (at a controlled rate) into the bloodstream through a needle that is permanently inserted under the skin
  • islet cell transplantation: healthy beta cells from the pancreas of a deceased donor are implanted into the pancreas of someone with type 1 diabetes
  • complete pancreas transplant
• advantages of using insulin from genetically modified bacteria


  • it is an exact copy of human insulin, therefore it is faster acting and more effective
  • less chance of rejection due to an immune response
  • lower risk of infection
  • cheaper to manufacture insulin than to extract it from animals