Hard Drugs 100 years of insulin in 15 minutes
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Sep 16, 2025 Explore the fascinating journey of insulin, from its crude origins in pig pancreases to its groundbreaking production by genetically engineered bacteria. Discover how recombinant DNA technology revolutionized diabetes treatment and spurred the biotech industry. Key milestones, including the approval of Humulin, mark significant advancements. The discussion also hints at the future potential of AI in protein enhancement, showcasing the ongoing evolution in medical innovation.
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First Clinical Success Of Insulin
- In 1922 researchers extracted insulin from animal pancreases and saved a dying 14-year-old boy.
- That marked the first successful therapeutic use of insulin and launched diabetes treatment.
Animal Extraction Was Unsustainable
- Early insulin production relied on pig and cow pancreases and was extremely inefficient.
- Demand rose as patients lived longer, stressing supply from the meat industry.
Harsh Early Self-Injection Practices
- Patients in the 1940s–60s sharpened needles and boiled glass syringes to self-inject insulin.
- Disposable needles arrived decades later, making injections less painful and safer.
