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What did dogs teach humans about diabetes? - Duncan C. Ferguson

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TEDEd Animation

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Diabetes has a history dating back to Ancient Greece. Our treatment of it, however, is more recent and was originally made possible with the help of man's best friend. Due to physiological traits shared with humans, dogs have saved countless lives through the discovery of insulin. Duncan C. Ferguson shares the story of the canine's great contribution to man -- and how we can all reap the medical benefits.

Canadian scientists Banting, Best and MacLeod first discovered that injection of a tissue extract, later shown to contain insulin, would lower blood _______ in diabetic dogs.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Duncan C. Ferguson
  • Artist Chet Knebel, Jeremy Jusay
  • Animator Katie Wendt
  • Producer Aaron Augenblick
  • Compositor Kristofer Wollinger
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen

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