The story of a great scientific study is revealed at the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada. Revisit the work by Sir Frederick Grant Banting and others that led to the use of insulin to treat diabetes. Their efforts helped diabetes sufferers avoid early death and brought about today’s availability of insulin to diabetes patients worldwide.
See the house where Banting established a general medical practice in London, Ontario and began pursuing treatment for diabetes. The house has been restored to its condition in the early 1920s during Banting’s occupancy. He moved from here to Toronto to continue research with medical student Charles Best. They successfully extracted insulin from a dog pancreas in 1921 in the laboratory of J.J.R. Macleod with support from James Collip.
In 1922, Banting and Best successfully treated a Toronto patient with insulin extracted from cows. The Nobel Prize was awarded to Banting and Macleod in 1923. When Best was not included in this revered recognition, Banting shared half of his portion of the award with him. Learn more about this fascinating man whose influence has saved lives for nearly a century.
In 1989, the Banting House installed a bronze statue of Banting shown writing his insulin hypothesis. The discovery of insulin is so significant that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother came to kindle the Flame of Hope.Gaze at the burning flame, which will remain ignited until a diabetes cure is discovered.
Banting was a fascinating character, revered and sometimes reviled for his personal characteristics. He often escaped from his fame as a Nobel Prize winner by painting. Study several paintings he created. In the gift shop, purchase prints from a series of four seasons of Banting’s striking Canadian landscapes. In the Dear Dr. Banting exhibit, read letters from patients sharing heartfelt thanks for Banting’s lifesaving treatment.
Drive to the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada in London, Ontario in about 2 hours from Toronto or Detroit.
