The world's first clinical trial of human insulin produced in plants is starting in the UK. The aim is to provide a new source of insulin to meet the rapidly growing demand from diabetics.

SemBioSys, a Canadian biotechnology company, has developed a genetically modified variety of safflower that makes high concentrations of human insulin in its seeds. (Safflower is a thistle-like plant with large yellow flowers, which is a minor source of seed oils.)