A scientific evolution

The first indication of diabetes dates back to 1500 B.C., when healers noticed that ants were attracted to the urine of people with a “mysterious emaciating” disease. As decades and centuries passed, awareness, understanding, and treatment of diabetes advanced both scientifically and socially.

The discovery of insulin in 1921, the establishment of the National Diabetes Commission in 1974, and the introduction of biosynthetic human insulin in 1983 are just three of many remarkable milestones connecting diabetes past with diabetes present. Today, scientists continue studying the disease with the hope of finding better treatments and, someday, a cure.

The links to the right provide a tour through the history of diabetes, as well as comprehensive information on Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, treatment goals for diabetics and a list of diabetes-related complications.