The Discovery of Insulin and Diabetes in Mexico

English

This assay shows how historicizing science in the classroom improve students not only to understand the nature of science but help them turn into more effective professional practitioners of science. The case study used here is a landmark in history of science and it is strongly related with a local event in Mexican society.

The consequences of being diagnosed diabetic have changed over the twenty century. During the first decades of the century no medicine exists for treatment of patients with diabetes. Dying from diabetes meant starving to death and eventually went into coma. After the discovery of insulin this new treatment focused in improving the quality of life for patients. However, our modern day lifestyle has left us more prone to diabetes and obesity has reached epidemic proportions.
In Mexico, diabetes is a condition that has become one of the leading causes of death. It affects seven million Mexicans and is characterized by a chronic degenerative disease. However, it can be keep under control by early treatment and thus provide a good quality of life for the patient.

One way of controlling is learning the different food groups and not abuse of fats and sugars instead filling plate with health selections. Students will identify some of the major experiments that scientists did when discovering insulin. Students will learn how to be involved in diabetes management and how they could eat healthy food.
Adidas

Conference: 
1
Themes: 
2
Author(s): 
Ma-Alicia Villela
Ana Barahona