Frederick G Banting (1891-1941): A Pioneer in Diabetes Treatment

Abstract

The discovery of insulin by Frederick G Banting and his colleagues in 1921 marked a pivotal moment in medical history. Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1891, Banting's childhood was impacted by the death of his closest friend, Jane, who died of diabetes mellitus at a young age. This personal tragedy profoundly influenced him to choose a career in medicine and fueled his determination to find a cure for diabetes. This journey led to the discovery of Insulin with the help of Charles H Best and John JR Macleod, resulting in a Nobel Prize for this work. Their discoveries set the stage for advancements in clinical medicine and biotechnology, including developing recombinant insulin over 50 years later.