Cloned calves may produce insulin

Argentine scientists said this week that they had created four cloned and genetically modified calves capable of producing human insulin in their milk, a step they said could cut the cost of treating diabetes.

The newborn Jersey heifers will start producing the human hormone when they reach adulthood, said the biotechnology company behind the project, Bio Sidus. The company’s managing director said insulin produced by the cows would be at least 30% cheaper than conventional insulin, which is generally produced by genetically engineered bacteria in laboratory vats.