my dad told me something sad today and now i feel guilty?

Question

i'm diabetic and he told me that insulin comes from animals and that i'm killing animals. i'm a vegetarian b/c of animals and now i feel guilty about the insulin. will there ever be a cure for diabetes where ur pancreas can start working or where u dont need to use insulin from animals? i cried for and hour and can barely get over it.

Answer 1

Insulin is made synthetically these days. So don't worry about it

Answer 2

That was a very cruel thing for your Dad to say to you. Just to ease your feelings of guilt I am pasting here what this website says how they make insulin today. Your Dad is right, but that is not how they make it today. You don't have to fell bad anymore.

Now, where does the insulin come from? The animal world has been a great friend to us when it comes to providing insulin. The first insulin ever identified by scientists, 75 years ago, came from a dog. Today, the insulin you inject every day might have come from a pig or a cow. (Don't worry -- it's cleaned up very well before it's bottled.)

More likely, you use a type of insulin called "human" insulin. This is not exactly like the insulin you would make in your pancreas, but it's close. And guess what: It comes from . . . bacteria! About 25 years ago, biologists found that they could "teach" bacteria growing in a lab dish to make human insulin. The bacteria made large amounts of it, almost identical to the real thing. Today many people use insulin produced in this way. Your parents, doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will be able to tell you where your insulin comes from, so ask them!

Answer 3

As others have said, insulin is now made synthetically. That was mean and cruel of your dad to say. He probably doesn't like that you're vegetarian because it makes him feel guilty that he's killing animals. Yes, insulin was developed from animals, but they were killed for their meat anyway. Insulin isn't a cure, really, but it will keep you in good shape, and I hope someday there will be a cure for diabetes. So, keep up with your diet and follow your doctors instructions, and now that as a vegetarian far fewer animals are dying because of you and you should feel good about not using them unnecessarily.

Answer 4

Okay first of all they do not kill animals just for their ability to make insulin also for the most part now they rearly use the pancreas from animals to make insulin most of it is synthetic meaning it's made in labs. So tell your dad it was mean first of all to say that to you and it's not like you asked to be diabetic and they say there working on a cure but who knows??? Don't stress yourself out it will effect your sugar levels.

Answer 5

Look on your insulin bottle or package.
What does it say ?It is most likely to be a human insulin made in a lab-not from humans.
If it is indeed an animal insulin, [ cow or pig- there is no sheep insulin ] Know that the animal was killed to be useful in so many other ways and that animals are here to serve us humans.
You can always ask your doctor to switch you to human insulin if needed.
That was a very harsh thing your father said to you.

Answer 6

Insulin was first developed from pigs and cows. Now insulin is synthetic. Rest easy. You are not killing any animals. We can thank God for progressing modern medicine for that.

When my dad was diagnosed with diabetes, he took pork insulin. He died from an allergic reaction to it. That was 26 years ago. I swore I would NEVER take animal insulin. I am insulin dependent. I thank God that it is synthetic.

Take out the paperwork that explains your insulin that comes inside the insulin box and read it. It will tell you everything you need to know.

I take Insulin R and Lantus (Lantus comes from a genetically altered bacteria!)

Answer 7

Your dad had no right to tell you that....especailly in the manor that he did. You are not killing anything. 80% of the insulin made now a days is Synthetic...produced in a lab someplace with a whole bunch of people dressed in antibacterial jump suits. All of these synthetics work just as good if not better than the animal produced insulin. Read the label on your bottle/box, if it says that it is animal based then talk to your Dr. let him/her know your concerns of using animal insuling. There are many alternitives to it. Good luck, and don't worry. your not killing the animals.

Answer 8

I think your father must be concerned about your diet, and maybe he was trying to get you to eat more protien so that you will have a better diet and probably have better control over your diabetes. Is that how the whole thing started? It sounds like your dad doesn't quite understand your choice to be vegan. Please research your choice and present your results to your dad, doctor and dietician. I'm sure if you work on this aspect with professionals your father will be less likely to have such a harsh reaction. By the way most insulin today is created in a lab, just like most of the answers say!!
Good luck and happy vegging!!

Answer 9

Insulin used by people with diabetes can come from three sources: human (created via recombinant DNA methods), pork, or beef. Beef insulin has been discontinued in the US, and essentially all people who are newly diagnosed are placed on human insulin.
You can thank genetic engineering for that.

Answer 10

The first answerer here was correct - the use of animals for insulin is on the decline. Most insulin now is artificially produced and that's probably what you are getting. Don't worry.

Answer 11

Yes, insulin comes from animals, but these animals, sad to say, are being killed anyways for meat. It is not your fault and you dont have to stop using insulin just because it comes from animals. Lots of people are working on cures for diabetes, so just hang on. That was kind of mean of your dad. You are not the one killing animals, so it is not your fault. Especially since you are veggetarian, that makes it even less your fault . Dont feel to bad about it, try talking to your doctor to see if there is insulin that will work for you without animals in it. I dont know if there is, but it is worth a shot.

Feel better