Martínez-Mier G, Toledo-Pereyra LH

Language: Spanish
References: 15
Page: 124-131
PDF size: 528.23 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To narrate the life and legacy of Frederick Grant Banting. Design: Historic essay (15 References). Setting: University Department of History. Results: Frederick Grant Banting was born in Canada on November 14, 1891. He began his studies in his native Alliston until his medical school graduation at the University of Toronto in 1916. He was enlisted in the Royal Army of Canada during First World War, serving as a medical officer. He was wounded and decorated for his bravery and heroism in 1919. He began his practice as a surgeon in Toronto under the influence of Dr. Clarence L Starr, and continued in London, Ontario as a surgeon and assistant professor at the local university. He started to get interested in diabetes mellitus research in 1920, and 1 year later, with the collaboration of Charles H Best and the assistance of JB Collip and JJR MacLeod’s physiology laboratory at University of Toronto, Banting discovered insulin. In January 11, 1922, Banting and Best utilized insulin in a human patient for the first time. This was followed by large scale production of insulin. Banting continued to perform research at the University of Toronto at institutes especially developed for him. He was decorated by the Canadian Parliament, knighted by the British Empire and, in 1923 awarded the Nobel Prize of Medicine and Physiology for the discovery of insulin. He was dedicated, inquisitive, a free thinker, a worldwide celebrity, a loyal friend and an amateur artist. He was married twice and had only one son. He died on February 21, 1930 serving to his country as a military research physician, leaving a legacy to us of one of the most important tools for treatment of diabetes mellitus.

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