The Discovery of Insulin

Nearly 100 years since insulin was first used in the treatment of diabetes, Professor Chantal Mathieu, Professor of Medicine at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, takes us through the history, development and future of this life saving drug.

[timothinking]

My 6yr old and 8 yr old sons are both type 1. I thank god every day for these amazing men and their discoveries.

[sktor]

Coming from a diabetic (type 1), I can tell you from multiple times having D.K.A. Diabetic Ketoneacidosis. I can't imagine how it must have felt dying from just..not having insulin at all, how your body would shut down in a matter of a week or so. If you are lucky. Once my blood sugar raised over 1200 and I am lucky to be alive from what I remember before being in a coma was 3 or 4 days of violently awful sickness, that no amount of rest, water intake or insulin could combat. I ended up having to be put in a medical coma for 5 days to try and stop my brain from swelling and the doctors brought my mother into a room and discussed the possibility of me having brain damage for life. I am alive and thankful for every day. If you don't have diabetes, remember to thank God for it... it's a horrible disease that will kill you slowly, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

[benlarsen]

I own my life to these doctor's.
I survived being diabetic at 15.

[steveww]

I was 11yr old in 1978 when I was diagnosed I have seen so much in my life time and Im so great full for all that has been done for us . Thank you and God Bess you all

[memelordz]

I was just diagnosed with type 1 less then 4 weeks ago, and hearing about how lucky I am to have all these fancy new treatments, and only be using 4mm needles makes me realize how livable this disease is nowadays.

[sudipchatterjee]

Kudos for the encouraging tone of this video! T1 diabetes patients and their family members can take solace in the fact that research for better treatment is still in full steam.

[deliriouswith]

WHY is there no mention of Nicolae Paulescu?? It's controversial, like it was at the time of the Nobel Prize award, but it's totally unfair not to mention it.

[nwc]

100 years later and it appears Sernova Corp ( a Canadian company)may have some great things happening with there trial for type 1 diabetes. One person in there trial is now about 22 months insulin free.

[mdwadud]

One of the greatest live saving discovery we should thankful.

[scorpionking]

My son is type 1 my family is very grateful for insulin hopefully one day soon we will have a cure thanks for the video 👍

[GiordanDiodato]

an interesting fact: they fought each other over who gets the credit at discovering synthesized insulin.
However, they also fought for their discovery to be as cheap as possible.

[lukepodmore]

Very lucky to have excellent scientists and the technology to keep us alive.

[Banyo__]

It just amazes me thinking about how many diseases and illnesses we have now that were considered deadly to any who had it in centuries past. Hats off to all who do this type of research and those that donate to keep funding or volunteer their bodies to science/health.

[NickCADA]

Quite possibly the greatest Canadian invention ever

[AmiyaSarkar]

Very encouraging and convincing words! Great 👌

[serialpeper]

When doctors told me I'm T1 diabetic they also said it will be for my whole life... I hope it will not with new drugs 🤞

[maisey]

This story is incredible. To think that people died of diabetes with only weeks and months to live is just so strange to me because today people manage it pretty well with modern medicine. So unfortunate for those born with the condition into that time.

[robertschlesinger]

Excellent video. Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video. Many thanks for the link to the paper.

[CR-ronaldo-lw]

Hey mam I am from india, studying in grade 10, I understand the story pf insulin so well mam thank you so much giving such a good explanation story ❤

[henrybird]

I'll admit that the development of insulin is important, but if you make it too expensive for the patient people are still going to die.