Can Synthetic Biology Make Insulin Faster, Better and Cheaper?

Rising insulin prices have become a dangerous norm for diabetics. Whether on Twitter, TV, or public radio, the insulin market has the world’s attention — and for all the wrong reasons. 

Insulin prices are not only skyrocketing (they increased by 99% from 2012 to 2016); lack of access is killing Americans. People with Type 1, Type 2, and even gestational diabetes need to take insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels. Insulin is the signal that tells our cells to take in glucose and convert it to energy. Without this molecule, glucose builds up in the bloodstream and can cause serious complications, including cardiovascular disease. 

We are at the precipice of a profound public health crisis. If insulin has been around for nearly fifty years, and production has become cheaper over time, how did we get here? And what can synthetic biology do about these circumstances? 

The full Forbes article can be viewed at this link.