Sir Frederick Grant Banting - the discoverer of insulin. On the 100th anniversary on the Nobel Prize

Abstract

Over the past thousands of years, diabetes has deprived people all over the world of their lives. Until 1922, mankind remained powerless. However, change came, with Frederick Banting (1891-1941), the discoverer of insulin. This breakthrough discovery was made not by a great scientist, but by a hard-working and persistent doctor. Perhaps Banting's conscientiousness and integrity stemmed from where he grew up? A small farm in the provinces certainly influenced his further development. A development that was not obvious, because as a child little Freddie had learning difficulties. Determination led him to medicine. It must not have been without surprise to Professor MacLeod (1876-1935) when, in his office at the University of Ontario, he heard from the 30-year-old doctor that he had an idea on how to save lives from an incurable disease. The opportunity Banting was given, he used effectively. Together with the help of his student Charles Best (1899-1978), he isolated insulin. The dissemination of insulin in Poland was very quickly taken up by Kazimierz Funk (1884-1967), the discoverer of thiamine and creator of the term 'vitamin'. As head of the Department of Biochemistry at the National Institute of Hygiene (PZH), he began producing insulin from bovine pancreases in 1924. He carried out this initiative using his private funds, equipping the laboratory with the appropriate equipment. Banting's remarkable feat was rewarded in 1923. Nobel Prize, which he shared with MacLeod. The fact that the actual co-discoverer of insulin, Charles Best, was not included in the award outraged Banting to such an extent that he decided not to accept the prize. After much persuasion, he changed his mind, but shared the financial reward with his faithful assistant. The discoverer's determination and behaviour in the face of success provides an invaluable lesson for today's doctors and scientists. By following the principles Banting espoused, we can honour his memory.

Keywords: Banting; history of medicine; insulin.