Posted by SJS on October 16, 1997 at 11:08:11:
In Reply to: Re: Porcine Virus posted by Marina on October 16, 1997 at 10:53:57:
Mariana:
I am not a biology teacher but I will try to answer your questions.
first-e coli
It is my understanding that there are various forms of e coli. The e coli used for the replication of human insulin was chosen because of its lack of toxic impact. Further, human insulin from Lilly does not contain this e-coli, it is only a medium of replication of the insulin.
Second- pork insulin and pork cells.
pork insulin differs only slightly from human insulin, hence its use for treatment. It is not able to replicate itself or produce a virus. Pork cells have, according to the artice, been infected a long time ago with viruses that have become part of the DNA of the cells. The cells themself have the ability to generate this porcine viruses. If the cells were to be immuno-isolated there would not be anyway of shutting off the production.
Again, it is not know that the virus is even harmful to humans. It may be that we can easily adapt to the viruses presented. It just represents a risk that the FDA will take very seriously.
All is not lost. The are several companies working on the proliferation of both human and porcine cells. One is Desmos. I beleive that they will or HAVE succeded. This will solve safety and supply part of the problem.
Steve