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​​​​Thesis

"A happy moment at the exhibition opening." Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

The discovery of insulin took place in 1921 in Toronto, Canada. This occurred when a team of researchers extracted insulin from animal pancreases, impacting millions of lives by lowering patients’ glucose levels. This virtually modified diabetes from a terminal ailment into a treatable disease. Reactions were varied: some praised it for its life-saving capabilities, while others dismissed insulin as a “brown muck”. Medical professionals condemned the hormone due to severe limitations. Over time, researchers were compelled to develop enhanced variants of the hormone to overcome its prior constraints. Despite severe medical backlash, insulin is one of the most significant discoveries of the 1900s. ​​​​​​​