Description
Book SynopsisBefore the discovery of insulin, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. One hundred years after a milestone medical discovery, ''Insulin - The Crooked Timber'' tells the story of how insulin was transformed from what one clinician called ''thick brown muck'' into the very first drug to be produced using genetic engineering, one which would earn the founders of the US biotech company Genentech a small fortune.Yet when Canadian doctor Frederick Banting was told in 1923 that he had won the Nobel Prize for this life-saving discovery, he was furious. For the prize had not been awarded to him alone - but jointly with a man whom he felt had no right to this honour. The human story behind this discovery is one of ongoing political and scientific controversy.Taking the reader on a fascinating journey, starting with the discovery of insulin in the 1920s through to the present day, ''Insulin - The Crooked Timber'' reveals a story of monstrous egos, toxic career rivalries, and a few
Trade Review[uses] a blend of profound research, lively writing and personal knowledge of diabetes * Andrew Robinson, Nature *
The lengthy bibliography and endnotes are a testament to the extensive research that has been carried out to produce this fascinating account. * Arpan K. Banerjee, Hektoen International *
The story of insulin over the past 100 years, as the historian of science (and former molecular biologist) Kersten Hall shows in this dense and fascinating book, is also a microcosm of developments in science more widely, and of changes in the politics and economics of healthcare.[...] The pleasures of this book lie mainly in the storytelling detail and the gossipy richness of the lives, friendships and feuds glimpsed in the hubbub of decades pursuing the improvement of human health. * Steven Poole, Daily Telegraph *
... comprehensive account of the modern medical history of the hormone... * Jerome Groopman, New York Review of Books *
A fascinating book by an author with excellent credentials, well written and meticulously researched. * Geoff Gill, University of Liverpool *
A timely book, pulling together many interesting stories about the scientific side of insulin. * John Pickup, King's College London School of Medicine *
Reviews the events around the discovery of insulin in an original and well-documented manner. * Pierre Lefèbvre, University of Liège *
Written in a clear and engaging style, the book provides a fresh take on historic events and also delves into aspects that have not been adequately explored previously. * Jeffrey Friedman, Rockefeller University *
It is a good read and scholarly account. * Arpan Banerjee, Hektoen International Journal *
Insulin-the Crooked Timber is essential reading for anyone concerned with the history of insulin. * Social History of Alcohol and Drugs. *
Hall's The Crooked Timber expertly combines careful attention to the science with thoughtful consideration of its historical and philosophical dimensions. * Neelanjana Ray, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *
Table of ContentsPreface Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth? Introduction Taming the Tiger 1: The Pissing Evil - a colourful description of diabetes by 17th century English physician Thomas Willis 2: Thick Brown Muck - Canadian scientist Fred Banting wins the Nobel Prize for the discovery of insulin... and is furious 3: The Vision of Ezekiel - clinicians are stunned at the power of insulin to save lives, but it proves to be a double-edged sword 4: A Greek Tragedy - German clinician Georg Zuelzer snatches defeat from the jaws of victory 5: The Wasp's Nest - insulin proves to be a poisoned chalice for its discoverers 6: Be Careful What You Wish For - the case of Romanian scientist Nicolai Paulesco underlines the truth of an old proverb 7: 'In Praise of Wool' - the humble wool fibre sets in motion a revolution in biochemistry 8: A Boastful Undertaking - a discovery made in a fume-filled stable offers the key to unlocking insulin 9: The Blobs That Won a Nobel Prize - or two, all thanks to some coloured spots on a piece of filter paper 10: The Prophet in the Labyrinth - biochemist Erwin Chargaff helps unlock the secrets of DNA, but fears where this may lead 11: The Clone Wars - a conflict in which insulin proves to be a decisive weapon 12: Wall Street Gold - in an act of modern day alchemy, insulin makes stock market history 13: 'Don't You Want Cheap Insulin?' - What is it exactly that we want from science? And does the story of insulin have any lessons for us today? Bibliography Figures List and Acknowledgements for Images Acknowledgements End notes
