💉 The History of Insulin: A Breakthrough That Changed Millions of Lives

BY: Sharon Fitness for GOOD.

This week on WHEN CALLS THE HEART, we were confronted with the shocking news that Little Jack has been diagnosed with diabetes, which means that without the ability to regulate his blood sugar levels, his body would be unable to process glucose properly, leading to serious health complications like fatigue, organ damage, and life-threatening conditions.

Today, insulin is widely known as an essential treatment for people living with diabetes – but the journey to its discovery and development is a story of perseverance, collaboration, and compassion. The history of insulin is not just a tale of science; it’s a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets urgent human need.

🔍 The Diabetes Dilemma Before Insulin

Before the discovery of insulin, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was essentially a death sentence, which is why Faith and Elizabeth were so upset. In the early 20th century, there was no effective treatment. Patients – often children – were put on extremely restrictive starvation diets that could prolong life for a short time but ultimately couldn’t prevent the body’s breakdown. People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes typically lived for less than 3 years. 

The need for a solution was urgent. Scientists around the world were trying to understand how the pancreas regulated blood sugar, but progress was slow – until 1921.

🧪 The Discovery: Banting, Best, and Breakthrough

In WHEN CALLS THE HEART land, we often joke that ‘oh, Ned has invented bandaids’ and wonder at the historical truth of stories that are presented, but in this case, a cure for diabetes was indeed discovered in Canada. 1921, Dr. Frederick Banting, a young Canadian surgeon, teamed up with Charles Best, a medical student, under the supervision of Professor John Macleod at the University of Toronto. Working with lab dogs, they experimented with extracting a hormone from the pancreas that they believed controlled blood sugar – what we now know as insulin.

With the help of biochemist James Collip, the team successfully purified the extract and tested it on a 14-year-old boy named Leonard Thompson, who was gravely ill with diabetes. The result was nothing short of miraculous. Leonard’s symptoms improved almost immediately, and the world had its first viable treatment for diabetes.

In 1923, Banting and Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which Banting shared with Best, and Macleod shared with Collip.

💊 From Lab to Lifeline

Following its discovery, insulin was quickly developed for wider medical use. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly began producing it at scale, and by the mid-1920s, insulin had become widely available, transforming the prognosis for people with diabetes from grim to manageable.

Early insulin was derived from animal pancreases (pigs and cows), which carried some complications. Over time, advances in science led to synthetic and recombinant human insulin, making it purer, more effective, and more accessible.

🌍 A Lifesaving Legacy

Today, insulin remains one of the most important medical discoveries in history. Millions of people around the world depend on it daily to regulate blood glucose levels and live full, healthy lives. It’s also at the centre of ongoing discussions around healthcare access, affordability, and innovation.

🧠 Beyond the Science: A Human Story

The story of insulin is more than just a milestone in medical history. For WHEN CALLS THE HEART, now that little Jack can get insulin, his body will be able to manage blood sugar levels effectively, allowing him to stay healthy, avoid serious complications, and enjoy a more active, normal life.

The true life story of insulin is a tale of dedication, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of a cure. It reminds us that scientific breakthroughs are not just about data and formulas – they’re about people. People like Leonard Thompson. People like the millions who live well today because of the work started in that small Toronto lab.

From tragedy to triumph, the history of insulin is one of the greatest examples of how science and compassion can come together to save lives -and change the world.

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About the Author: Sharon Fitness is a staff writer for GOOD. She’s a movie buff, TV fan, foodie and dog lover.

Images: When Calls the Heart promotional content from GOOD and historical archives from the public domain.