Human-Derived Gelatin Created

While conventional gelatin is made from the collagen found in the bones, skin, and cartilage of pigs and cows, Chinese researchers have discovered a new way to make gelatin by using human DNA. Scientists from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology have developed human-derived gelatin by injecting bits of human gelatin genes into strains of yeast. Researcher Jinchun Chen and his team reported in The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry that the new gelatin allows for higher quality control than animal-based gelatin. Gelatin can be found in a number of everyday products, such as marshmallows, gummies, and cosmetics, but the scientists hope to use the human-derived gelatin for medical purposes, such as manufacturing of drug capsules.