Banting, Bliss, and Beyond: Insulin 100, A Century of Science and Care

The Toronto Medical Historical Club marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin with a historical symposium, Banting, Bliss, and Beyond: A Century of Science and Care, on May 3, 2022 to be followed by a half-day historical workshop on J.J.R. Macleod on May 4, 2022.

We will celebrate the key contributions to the discovery of insulin, recognize the breakthroughs in science and care subsequent to the discovery, describe perspectives on the culture and genetics of diabetes, and pay tribute to the late Professor Michael Bliss.

This event will be of interest to health care professionals, researchers, medical historians and trainees.

Symposium Sessions

9:00 am – 9:10 am

Welcome by THMC Insulin 100 Committee: Peter Kopplin & John Dirks

Session 1: Tribute to Michael Bliss

Chair: John Dirks, Toronto

9:10 am – 9:20am

The impact of Michael Bliss on the story of the insulin discovery

John Dirks

9:20 am – 9:40 am

How Michael Bliss gave Macleod back to Aberdeen

Kenneth McHardy, Aberdeen

9:40 am – 10:00 am

Glory enough for all? The sad aftermath of the discovery of insulin

James Wright, Calgary

10:00 am – 10:20 am

Where credit is due: Collip’s contribution

Alison Li, Toronto

10:20 am – 10:30am

Discussion

10:30 am – 10:50 am

BREAK

Session 2: Before and Beyond the Discovery of Insulin

Chair: Patricia Brubaker, Toronto

10:50 am – 11:30 am

Precursors to the Toronto group

Jeffrey Friedman, New York with Kersten Hall, Leeds

11:30 am – 11:50 am

The fast Nobel Prize to Banting and Macleod

Erling Norrby, Stockholm

11:50 am – 12:10 pm

It works! Now what? Insulin development, production, and distribution at Connaught Laboratories, University of Toronto

Christopher Rutty, Toronto

12:10 pm – 12:20 pm

Discussion

12:20 pm – 1:00 pm

LUNCH

Session 3: Culture, Race, and Genetics in Diabetes

Chair: Aubie Angel, Toronto

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

The cultural history of diabetes and race

Arleen Tuchman, Nashville

1:30 pm – 1:50 pm

The genetics of diabetes

Robert Hegele, London

1:50 pm – 2:00 pm

Discussion

2:00 pm – 2:20 pm

BREAK

Session 4: Breakthroughs in Insulin and Diabetes

Chair: Dan Drucker, Toronto

2:20 pm – 2:50 pm

The pace setting science of insulin in the decades after discovery

Jeff Flier, Boston

2:50 pm – 3:20 pm

Breakthroughs in the management of diabetes

Bernard Zinman, Toronto

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm

Discussion

3:30 pm – 3:40 pm

Closing Remarks

Peter Kopplin and John Dirks

For full program details, visit our website.

Host or Publisher Toronto Medical Historical Club