Canadian Contributions to Our Understanding of Internal Body Systems

Our internal systems, whether digestive, circulatory or respiratory, are very intricate but vital parts of our bodies. They adapt intelligently to defend and maintain our bodies' health. They are also all interconnected to provide us with oxygen and distribute blood. Understanding how these systems work require a high amount of knowledge and of course, technology. A clearer understanding on how our internal systems work have assisted scientists and researchers with finding cures. Without such breakthroughs in scientific technology, treatments to many diseases would not have existed and diagnosing an illness would seem almost impossible. Our lives have noticably improved as a result and Canadians have helped make that happen.

All types of diabetes have been treatable since insulin was made available in 1921. Insulin is a hormone that monitors the glucose in our bodies and is an important component in converting food into energy. Without it, our blood sugar levels would increase uncontrollably. Sir Frederick Banting, a Canadian scientist who specialized in medecine, discovered insulin along with Dr. Charles Best. The journey that led to the discovery of insulin began when Banting developed a fascination with diabetes. His curiosity led to several experiments at the University of Toronto. After the success that was achieved when they managed to keep a dog alive for an entire summer after removing its pancreas (to replicate diabetes), Banting and Best attempted their experiment several more times on other diabetic dogs before making an attempt on a 14 year old human diabetes patient. Success was ultimately attained and two injections later, any symptoms of diabetes had disappeared. Since the discovery of insulin, millions of diabetic people have been able to live a normal life and Canadians Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best are responsible for such an amazing achievement that will be remembered forever in medical science history.


A better understanding of the purpose and importance of insulin can be acquired through viewing this short clip.

Another major breakthrough in medical science made by a Canadian is the invention of the artificial pacemaker. As most of you should know, our heart's natural pacemaker is the sinoatrial node (SA node), a group of cells located in the right atrium. This group of cells sends signal that must travel down certain paths that reach the ventricles in order to keep the heart beating. Blockage in the tracts or too slow of a pace can arise numerous problems. Canadian doctor John Hopps created the first artificial pacemaker that would help those with such a problems maintain a healthy heart rate.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/29593-invention-the-pacemaker-video.htm

This link leads to a clip of an interview of the first man who recieved an external pacemaker.

It's agreeable that Canadians have made several notable contributions to deepen our understanding in our internal body systems. The discovery of insulin has lead to diabetes being controlled and the invention of the pacemaker has provided a solution for those who don't have a healthy heart rate. We continue to overcome incredible obstacles and conquer the illnesses that claim millions of lives as scientific technology advances.


Works Cited:

Discovery of Insulin
http://www.discoveryofinsulin.com/Home.htm

Wikipedia: Insulin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin

Wikipedia: Artificial Pacemaker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_pacemaker

VIDEO:
YouTube: Insulin

LINK:
Howstuffworks: Invention - The Pacemaker