Insulin

 

The Light Bulb

Millions of people who suffer from diabetes are enjoying a better life because of this, possibly most famous of all, Canadian invention.

 

Dr Frederick Grant Banting was born November 14th, 1891 in Alliston, Ontario, and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1916. He went on to establish a practice in London, Ontario.

 

His life changed in October of 1920 when, at 28, the young doctor read an article in a medical journal discussing diabetes research. In those days diabetes was a debilitating disease that led to blindness, lost limbs and greatly shortened lifespan. Doctors knew the cause of the ailment, but there was no treatment available. After reading the article, Dr Banting made a record in his notes to effect that he should try to extract a hormone from a dog pancreas that may affect the outcome of the disease.

 

Laboratory space was eventually provided by diabetes expert and University of Toronto professor John J. R. Macleod, who also introduce Banting to Charles Best, a bright young undergraduate from the US.

 

During the summer of 1921 they carried out numerous experiments on dogs, with help and advice from Prof. Macleod. They teamed up with another researcher, James Bertram Collip, who helped them to refine test samples of insulin that could be used on humans.

 

Leonard Thompson, a sufferer of severe diabetes was the first person to be given insulin on January 23rd, 1922. The 14 year old shown an immediate and dramatic improvement. Test on other diabetes sufferers followed, all with the same dramatic improvements.

 

In a selfless move, the four researchers chose not to patent their discovery, instead selling all rights to the University of Toronto and, by doing so, ensuring that low cost insulin would be available for all.

 

Banting continued in medical research, unsuccessfully seeking a breakthrough in cancer and silicosis treatment. He was appointed as the Chairman of the NRC’s Council for Aviation Medical Research in 1939, an appointment that was to lead to his untimely death. An aircraft that he was flying on as part of his duties to the NRC crashed into Musgrave Harbour in Newfoundland whilst on its way to England on February 21, 1941. Banting did not survive the crash.

 

©2009 Anthony Gussin