Health and Medicine
109 The Discovery of Insulin
Livi Dodd and Ashlyn Miles
InTRODUCTION
The discovery of insulin is one of the most significant breakthroughs in medical history. For centuries, diabetes had no effective treatment. The discovery of insulin in the early 20th century transformed the trajectory of diabetes management, ending the “pre-insulin era” which was a time of failed treatments (Vecchio, 2018). This offered a new era of hope and clinical progress. There are key milestones leading up to the discovery of insulin from ancient observations of the disease to the modern advancements in insulin therapies.
“Insulin is an essential hormone. It helps your body turn food into energy and manages your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, your body can’t make enough insulin or use it properly” (Cleveland Clinic) quotes to explain the critical role of insulin in the human body. Without insulin, blood sugar levels can rise to dangerous levels, leading to complications or death. In the early 20th century, individuals with diabetes faced this harsh reality, as there was no treatment. However, in 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best made a shocking discovery at the University of Toronto of extracting insulin from the pancreas. This breakthrough took diabetes from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable condition and marked the turning point in medical science.
CONNECTION TO STS
Diabetes mellitus was first termed in 1674 by Thomas Willis, a British physician (Vecchio, et. al, 2018). The understanding of diabetes has been changing and evolving for centuries with it initially being described as “diarrhea urinosa” by the Greeks and Romans. Diabetes was initially thought to be a kidney disorder until the 1900s. The discovery of insulin as a treatment for diabetes influenced new technologies like the first insulin pump that were developed and available in the 1970s (Harrison, et. al, 2021).
The discovery of insulin highlights the relationship between science, technology, and society. The work done by Frederick Banting and Charles Best started with the scientific understanding of the human body and the technological innovation allowed them to discover insulin as a treatment. This discovery had a major impact on society by taking a fatal disease and turning it into a controllable condition with easy access. “The insulin patent from the University of Toronto was sold for $1 with the understanding that cheap insulin would become available. Through the years, insulin remained affordable” (DiabetesSpectrum).
DEVELOPMENT OF INSULIN
In 1921, Frederick Banting became determined to find a cure for diabetes. He believed that the pancreas had a key role in the regulation of blood sugar, and that the hormone it produces may be the solution. Banting joined forces with Charles Best and began conducting experiments. “He decided to test this hypothesis with an aqueous extract of pancreas, which was administered to diabetic, pancreatectomized dogs” (National Library of Medicine). After many trials, the two researchers began to isolate the hormone that they named “insulin”, and was soon purified and perfected for human use.
MEDICINE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH
The discovery of insulin had a major impact on both public health and the future of medicine. “Diabetes has devastating effects on individuals, societies and countries or territories and leads to over 4 million deaths a year” (Diabetes Atlas). It transformed diabetes from a deadly disease to a manageable condition that allowed millions of individuals to live longer lives. Not only did the number of deaths decrease, but the discovery also changed the way illnesses were assessed and treated. It sparked advancements in developments of medicine and put a major emphasis on the collaboration between medical workers. The quote, “On March 23, 2020 FDA began receiving applications for biosimilar products, including insulin, and on July 29, 2021 the agency approved the first interchangeable biosimilar insulin product, Semglee, indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus” further explains how advancements are constantly occurring (100 Years of Insulin).
According to a 2021 article on the impact of the discovery of insulin on clinical outcomes, diabetes mellitus affects 463 million people globally and 150-200 million individuals are dependent on insulin for their health (Buse, et. al, 2021). Through the discovery and development of insulin therapies, individuals with type 1 diabetes can extend their lifetime to the general population’s average expectation. Insulin has transformed public health since its discovery around 100 years ago.
SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY
Not only did the discovery of insulin revolutionize medicine, it also had a lasting impact on society and the economy. As diabetes became a liveable diagnosis, people were given the chance to survive and continue to live long, productive lives and remain in the workforce to contribute to their families and society. “This is because keeping blood glucose levels in your target range gives you more energy to live your life as you want” (National Diabetes Services Scheme). This maintains and creates a positive effect on the overall productivity of the economy. In addition, the discovery of insulin changed the public’s attitude towards diabetes and created social inclusion which normalized and spread awareness of diabetes.
CONCLUSION
The discovery of insulin provided life-saving treatment while also igniting a wave of further medical innovations, such as the development of insulin pumps and more refined diabetes management tools. Diabetes impacts millions of individuals globally, and the role of insulin in prolonging life and improving quality of life remains incredibly relevant. The journey from ancient misconceptions about the disease to modern-day insulin therapies highlights the importance of research and scientific discovery.
The discovery of insulin represents a transformative moment in the history of medicine, focusing on the connection between science, technology, and society. The work of Frederick Banting and Charles Best turned a fatal disease into a manageable illness, saving millions of people. The discovery led to many societal and economic impacts, allowing individuals with diabetes to live full lives. It also influenced advancements in the medical industry. This discovery highlights the evolution of medical processes through scientific exploration, technological advancements, and societal needs to emphasize the power these breakthroughs may have on humans.
REFERENCES
Benefits and Side Effects of Insulin. (2024, June 12). NDSS.
Buse, J. B., Davies, M. J., Frier, B. M., & Philis-Tsimikas, A. (2021). 100 Years on: The impact of the discovery of insulin on clinical outcomes. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. https://drc.bmj.com/content/9/1/e002373
Commissioner, O. (n.d.). 100 Year Anniversary of Insulin. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-history-exhibits/100-years-insulin
Deaths Attribute to Diabetes. (n.d.). Diabetes Atlas.
https://diabetesatlas.org/data/en/indicators/7/
Harrison, V. S., Khan, M. H., Chamberlain, C. E., & Harlan, D. M. (2022). The Noble and Often Nobel Role Played by Insulin-Focused Research in Modern Medicine. Diabetes care, 45(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci21-0012
Hirsch, Irl B. (n.d.). Insulin in America: A right or a Priveledge? Diabetes Spectrum. American Diabetes Association.
Vecchio, I., Tornali, C., Bragazzi., N. L., & Martini, M. (2018, October 23). The Discovery of Insulin: An important milestone in the history of medicine. National Library of Medicine.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6205949/
Insulin. (2024, November 4). Cleveland Clinic. What is insulin?
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22601-insulin
AI ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I used Microsoft Co-Pilot to help me find information about the discovery of insulin that fits the goals of this textbook chapter. It gave me sources to support the information I provided. I then used the other sources I had gathered to apply other elements to the chapter.
