Q.Write any three genetically engineered products and mention their functions.

Genetic engineering has produced human insulin (E. coli), the Hepatitis B vaccine (yeast) and Bt cotton (insect-resistant crop) among many other products.

1. Human insulin (Humulin): The human insulin gene was inserted into a plasmid vector and introduced into Escherichia coli, which then expresses and secretes functional human insulin. This recombinant insulin, produced cheaply and in bulk by fermenting the transgenic bacteria, replaced insulin extracted from animal pancreases and is used to treat diabetes mellitus.

2. Hepatitis B vaccine: The gene coding for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was cloned into recombinant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which expresses the antigen protein. This purified antigen, produced without any live or infectious virus, is used as a safe vaccine to immunise people against Hepatitis B infection.

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