Gelatin
is an essential ingredient in gummy snacks and marshmallows, not to
mention vaccines and drug capsules. Manufacturing it is a messy,
inconsistent process, but now scientists can create perfect gelatin with
human DNA. The only obstacle seems to be our own squeamishness.
In 2011, scientists in Beijing reported on a method of creating large
amounts of gelatin by inserting human DNA fragments into yeast. Human
DNA-derived gelatin has actually been in use for a while, in vaccine
preparation and the gel caps that many over the counter drugs come in.
This method created such large quantities of gelatin that it would be
practical to use it for more common consumer goods like candy and baking
supplies.
No comments:
Post a Comment