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The Evolution of Insulin Production: 1951 vs Today

A split collage meme comparing insulin production methods in 1951 and today. The top-left section features a black-and-white photograph of a massive pile of pig pancreases next to a small container, accompanied by text: '1951: 10,000 POUNDS OF PIG PANCREASES MAKE 1 POUND OF INSULIN'. The bottom-right section shows a color image of modern laboratory equipment with stainless steel bioreactors, labeled: 'TODAY: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BACTERIA PRODUCE ANIMAL-FREE INSULIN'. The meme highlights the significant technological advancement in biotechnology, transitioning from animal-derived to synthetic, animal-free insulin production.
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1951: 10,000 POUNDS OF PIG PANCREASES MAKE 1 POUND OF INSULIN; TODAY: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BACTERIA PRODUCE ANIMAL-FREE INSULIN

Overview

A split collage meme comparing insulin production methods in 1951 and today. The top-left section features a black-and-white photograph of a massive pile of pig pancreases next to a small container, accompanied by text: '1951: 10,000 POUNDS OF PIG PANCREASES MAKE 1 POUND OF INSULIN'. The bottom-right section shows a color image of modern laboratory equipment with stainless steel bioreactors, labeled: 'TODAY: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BACTERIA PRODUCE ANIMAL-FREE INSULIN'. The meme highlights the significant technological advancement in biotechnology, transitioning from animal-derived to synthetic, animal-free insulin production.

Origin notes

The meme originates from 9Gag, a social media platform known for user-generated content. It appears to be a user-created collage, likely assembled using image editing software (e.g., Photoshop or a mobile editor) to combine historical and contemporary photographs with explanatory text overlays. The original images of pig pancreases and lab equipment are presumably stock or archival photos, repurposed here to illustrate the evolution of insulin production technology.

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