Which insulin to use? Human or animal?

Abstract

The introduction of insulin was a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes and it produced a remarkable increase in the life expectancy of diabetic patients. Animal-derived insulins have been used to treat people with diabetes since insulin was first discovered and continuously subjected to various purification technologies. Genetically engineered human insulin was introduced in 1982 and now the vast majority of people requiring insulin treatment worldwide are prescribed synthetic human insulin. Although there exists a debate on which insulin to use, the decision of choosing a particular insulin ultimately falls upon the physician who should make the right choice depending on the diagnosis, expected clinical outcome and the affordability of the patients. This brief document provides an account of historical review of human versus animal insulins and discusses their relative advantages and disadvantages. The choice of insulin selection has to be thoroughly weighed by the physician focusing on the patient’s clinical and economic status. However in developing countries like India, there is still a role for continuing animal insulins.