Happy 100th Birthday Insulin!

[everydayupsanddowns]

From Diabetes UK:

On 17 May, 1921 – 100 years ago to the day – scientists Banting and Best began their experiments that would lead to the discovery of insulin.

It all started with a question – could insulin be extracted from a healthy pancreas and used to replace the insulin that’s lost in type 1 diabetes?

The story of insulin shows us just what research can do. And a century later, we’re looking ahead to the next big breakthrough.

This week, we’ll be hearing from our scientists – like Professor Colin Dayan on the questions they most want to see answered by research.

To read more about Banting and Best’s life-saving work and the next transformations in diabetes treatment that our research will bring, click here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/research/research-impact/insulin

 

[Annette&Bert]

absolutely amazing, and surely a life changer even so long ago!

 

[Inka]

I didn’t realise there was an actual date to celebrate - that’s cool.

Thank you to all those who worked on insulin. They’ve saved so many lives over the last century - including mine, for which I’m eternally grateful. I remember that every time I get fed up with testing or carb-counting or bolusing and adjusting insulin.

 

[Ditto]

Well done those blokes. Did they get knighthoods and stuff?

They got the Nobel prize in 1923. 🙂 Excellent.

 

[trophywench]

Didn't get knighthoods - neither the actual research nor the cost of insulin purification took place in Britain, it was a wholly Canadian enterprise - despite the actual nationality of some scientists. Think in 1921 both the dissemination of information to Edward VII's advisers and to the UK medical profession, lacked immediacy. I expect the news was just Oooh that's interesting. Next!

 

[trophywench]

I continue to be gobsmacked at what a very very new treatment it is - and damn grateful they discovered it at all.