Charles BestEdit
Charles Herbert Best (1899–1978) was a Canadian physiologist who played a central role in the early investigations that led to the isolation of insulin, a breakthrough that transformed the treatment of diabetes. Working in the laboratory of Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto in 1921, Best helped carry out many of the essential experiments that demonstrated how pancreatic extracts could regulate blood sugar in animals and, ultimately, in humans. The work, carried forward with the collaboration of James Collip and under the broader direction of John Macleod, laid the groundwork for a therapy that would save countless lives and reshape modern medicine.
The discovery of insulin is widely regarded as one of the defining achievements in 20th-century biomedicine. The early success led to rapid advances in pharmaceutical production and clinical practice, turning diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable condition for many patients. In the public record of science, however, questions about credit and attribution have persisted. The 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Banting and Macleod, while Best and Collip did not receive Nobel recognition. Historians and scholars have debated how to weigh laboratory contribution, leadership, and the division of labor in such collaborative breakthroughs. In broad terms, Best’s contributions are seen as indispensable to the practical realization of insulin therapy, even as the formal awards did not assign him the prize.
Early life and education
Charles Best emerged from a Canadian university environment that emphasized applied science and medical research. He pursued studies in physiology and related disciplines at the University of Toronto, where he connected with Banting during the groundbreaking work that would become the insulin project. Best’s early training prepared him for the hands-on experimental work that would become central to the insulin discovery process, including animal experiments and the practical handling of pancreatic extracts.
Insulin discovery and early experiments
In 1921, Banting proposed a method to extract active compounds from the pancreas that could lower blood glucose levels. Best assisted in the execution of core experiments, performing operations and preparing tissue samples, and he contributed to the practical demonstration that pancreatic extracts could produce therapeutic effects. The work quickly moved from conceptual insight to laboratory proof, with James Collip joining to improve purification techniques, making the extract suitable for human use. The collaborative effort among Banting, Best, Collip, and Macleod, conducted at the University of Toronto and related laboratories, culminated in a therapy that would enter clinical practice across the world within a few years. The insulin preparation that emerged from these early efforts became the prototype for subsequent pharmaceutical production and medical administration.
Nobel Prize and recognition
The Nobel Prize awarded in 1923 recognized Banting and Macleod for the discovery that a pancreatic extract could treat diabetes, effectively acknowledging the clinical promise of insulin. Best and Collip did not share in the prize, a decision that has been the subject of considerable historical discussion. Supporters of Best have argued that his laboratory work, experimental skill, and day-to-day stewardship of the insulin experiments constituted a vital portion of the achievement. Critics of the Nobel Committee’s decision have pointed to the collaborative nature of the work and the way credit can be distributed unevenly in large scientific teams. The debate illustrates broader themes in the history of science about attribution, recognition, and the pace at which discoveries are translated into public medicine.
Later life and legacy
After the insulin episode, Best continued his career in physiology and pharmacology, contributing to the education of new generations of physicians and scientists. He remained closely associated with Canadian medical research institutions and helped advance the study of pancreatic function and endocrine physiology. The insulin story—along with Best’s role in it—had a lasting influence on how medical research is organized, funded, and credited, and it highlighted the importance of collaboration across laboratories, hospitals, and industry. Beyond insulin, Best’s career encompassed a broad interest in how the nervous and endocrine systems regulate biology, a field that continued to shape medicine in the mid- to late 20th century.