Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin

More about the book

The narrative centers on the groundbreaking discovery of insulin, a pivotal advancement in treating juvenile diabetes, primarily through the experiences of Frederick Banting. Haunted by the plight of diabetic children, Banting, with student assistant Charles Best, experiments on street dogs to isolate insulin. Their efforts lead to a miraculous treatment for a human patient, though it comes at the cost of several dogs, including Marjorie, whom Banting cherished. The book also explores the ethical implications of animal testing in medical research, providing a deeper context to this historical milestone.