Final answer:
The importance of the discovery of insulin by Canadians lies in its role in saving millions of lives by providing a biocompatible treatment for diabetes through recombinant DNA technology. This groundbreaking work enabled mass production of human insulin, which is less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to animal-source insulin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discovery of insulin by Canadians is considered critically important because it saved millions of lives worldwide (option c). Prior to human insulin production, diabetic patients had to rely on animal insulin, most commonly sourced from pigs. However, this caused allergic reactions in some people. The development and use of human insulin produced through recombinant DNA technology, first achieved in 1978, allowed for large-scale production of insulin that was more biocompatible with human patients. The technology used is transformative, as it allows a gene of interest, in this case, the human insulin gene, to be inserted into bacteria like E. coli. The bacteria then express the insulin protein, which can be purified and used for treating patients with diabetes.
This method has made insulin far more accessible and affordable, significantly improving the quality of life for those with diabetes. It exemplifies how scientific observations, accidental discoveries, and advancements, like the discovery of penicillin or the perfection of artificial kidneys, contribute over time to lifesaving medical treatments. Overall, the discovery of insulin represents a major leap forward in medicine and the treatment of diabetes, rather than the establishment of modern pharmacology, the cure of diabetes, or specifically Canada’s medical advancement as such.