Discovery of Insulin by Frederick Banting and Charles Best

The discovery of insulin by Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best on July 27, 1921, revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and has saved countless lives since its introduction. Their groundbreaking work led to the development of insulin therapy, which transformed diabetes from a fatal condition to a manageable one. The story of insulin’s discovery involves collaboration, determination, and a fair share of serendipity.

• Origins: In 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting, a surgeon, was inspired by an article about the pancreas and diabetes. He theorized that a hormone produced in the pancreas could regulate blood sugar. Banting pitched his idea to Professor John Macleod, a leading diabetes researcher at the University of Toronto, who agreed to provide Banting with laboratory space and the assistance of Charles Best, a medical student.
• Discovery: Banting and Best began their research in May 1921, focusing on isolating the hormone they believed could treat diabetes. They performed experiments on dogs, surgically removing the pancreas to induce diabetes and then administering their extracted hormone. The treatment successfully lowered blood sugar levels in the test subjects.
• Naming Insulin: The hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar was named “insulin” by Banting and Best, derived from the Latin word “insula,” meaning “island,” referring to the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas where insulin is produced.
• Collaboration with James Collip: Banting and Best enlisted the help of biochemist James Collip to purify insulin, making it safe for human use. On January 11, 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old diabetic, became the first to receive an insulin injection, dramatically improving his condition.
• Nobel Prize: In 1923, Frederick Banting and John Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of insulin. Banting shared his prize money with Best, while Macleod shared his with Collip, acknowledging their essential contributions to the breakthrough.
• Effects on Pop Culture: The discovery of insulin has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and movies, highlighting the importance of this medical breakthrough. It has also been celebrated on postage stamps and has inspired countless researchers to continue exploring new treatments for diabetes.

The discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1921 marked a turning point in treating diabetes. Their groundbreaking work led to the development of insulin therapy, which has saved millions of lives worldwide. The story of insulin’s discovery has become a significant part of pop culture, inspiring books, documentaries, and movies highlighting medical breakthroughs’ importance.