Genetically engineered bacteria have been used to deliver therapies for bowel disorders like inflammatory bowel disease:
The bacterium is able to deliver the protein, a human growth factor called KGF-2, directly to the damaged cells that line the gut, unlike other treatments which can cause unwanted side effects. Also unlike other treatments, it is envisaged that patients will be able to control the medication themselves by ingesting xylan, perhaps in the form of a drink.
I am not 1 of the 400 Britons who suffers from IBD but it is wonderful to see that genetic engineering has such excellent medical applications.
1 in 400 people in Britain suffer from IBD.
It is very nasty, so this is welcome progress indeed!