Recognizing Milestones in the History of Insulin
This week marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of medicine. On July 27, 1921 Frederick Banting and Charles Best were able to isolate the hormone insulin in dogs. They were able to successfully produce diabetes symptoms in the dogs and then treated them successfully with insulin injections. This paved the way for treating people with diabetes, which at the time was almost always a fatal disease. It was especially heartbreaking when children with type 1 diabetes died at an early age. The discovery of insulin was a true, life-saving breakthrough.
At the same time, Joslin Diabetes Center, let by Dr. Elliott P. Joslin, was at the forefront of treating diabetes and became one of the first treatment centers to use insulin on a large scale. We salute Drs. Banting and Best, and we continue with their pioneering spirits here at Joslin, making new discoveries to advance diabetes research, education and care.
Check out the video below to hear the full story on the discovery of insulin from Joslin's own Dr. C. Ronald Kahn.
C. Ronald Kahn, MD on the Discovery of Insulin
About Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center is world-renowned for its deep expertise in diabetes treatment and research. Part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, Joslin is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. We develop and disseminate innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries throughout the world. Joslin is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and one of only 18 NIH-designated Diabetes Research Centers in the United States.
