What technology allows for the production of human insulin for diabetics?

Recombinant DNA technology is the correct answer because it involves combining DNA from different sources to produce a new genetic combination that can express desired traits, such as the production of human insulin. This process typically involves inserting the human insulin gene into a plasmid (a circular DNA molecule) that can replicate within bacteria, such as E. coli. The transformed bacteria then express the insulin protein, which can be harvested and purified for medical use.

This method revolutionized diabetes treatment by making insulin production more efficient and scalable, allowing for a consistent supply of insulin that is genetically identical to that produced by the human pancreas. It contrasts with older methods, which used insulin extracted from animal sources, and addressed problems such as allergenicity and supply shortages.

Gene therapy primarily focuses on treating genetic disorders by introducing or altering genes within an individual's cells but is not specifically used for the mass production of insulin. CRISPR technology is a powerful tool for editing genes, and while it has great potential for various applications, it is not the method traditionally used for insulin production. Cloning technology, while related, typically refers to producing identical organisms or cells, rather than the specific process of expressing a human protein like insulin in another organism.