The Multiple Lives of Marjorie: The Dogs Who Co-Discovered Insulin
How Did a Dog Named Marjorie Help Prove Insulin Could Save Lives?
Marjorie, lab dog number 410, was a white terrier mix who became the first animal to survive long-term on insulin extracts, living 70 days after her pancreas was removed - far longer than any diabetic animal in medical history. Her survival on Banting and Best’s crude insulin preparations provided the crucial proof that their discovery could sustain life, directly leading to the first human trials that would save millions of lives.