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. 2023 Sep;40(2):370-393.
doi: 10.3138/cjhh.637-032023. Epub 2023 Jul 24.

Macleod Before Banting

Edwin Gale  1
Affiliations

Macleod Before Banting

Edwin Gale. Can J Health Hist. 2023 Sep.

Abstract
in English, French

John James Rickard Macleod provided the facilities and support that enabled Frederick Banting and Charles Best to perform the experimental work that resulted in the discovery of insulin. This review considers Macleod's intellectual contribution to the initial discovery in light of his previously expressed opinions on glucose metabolism. He acknowledged the likely existence of an internal secretion from the pancreas and was aware of previous work in the area; however, seeking it was not among his research priorities. His advice in the immediate aftermath of the discovery does not appear to have made any essential contribution to the project, although he made its ultimate success possible. Instead, he gave Banting the chance he needed, gave him full credit for what he achieved, and promoted insulin tirelessly as a gift to the world.

Résumé. John James Rickard Macleod fournit les installations et le soutien qui ont permirent à Frederick Banting et Charles Best de découvrir l’insuline. Il contribua aussi intellectuellement au projet. Ce texte étudie cette contribution en analysant les idées de Macleod sur le métabolisme des glucides. Bien au fait des travaux antérieurs, le chercheur admettait l’existence probable d’une sécrétion interne du pancréas, mais l’étudier ne faisait pas partie de ses priorités de recherche. Si les conseils qu’il prodigua immédiatement après cette découverte ne semblent pas avoir été essentiels, ils contribuèrent néanmoins au succès du projet. En fait, Macleod offrit à Banting l’opportunité dont il avait besoin, lui attribua pleinement le mérite de la découverte et fit ensuite sans relâche la promotion des bienfaits de l’insuline.

Keywords: ADN; Banting; DNA; Macleod; X-ray crystallography; biologie moléculaire; cristallographie aux rayons X; découvertes; findings; insulin; insuline; molecular biology; obstacles.

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