A comparison of the effects of human and animal insulin as well as of the adverse reaction profile did not show clinically relevant differences. Many patient-oriented outcomes like health-related quality of life or diabetes complications and mortality were never investigated in high-quality randomised clinical trials. The story of the introduction of human insulin might be repeated by contemporary launching campaigns to introduce pharmaceutical and technological innovations that are not backed up by sufficient proof of their advantages and safety.
Human insulin: a double-blind clinical study of its effectiveness.
Over a two-year period, 88 patients were evaluated in a double-blind study of human insulin (recombinant DNA origin) and Iletin II pork insulin. Patient follow-up was done throughout the program by glycohemoglobin assays and self-monitoring of blood glucose levels. The C peptides were studied before and after a test meal of Sustacal. Insulin antibody determinations were made regularly. Dietary management was supervised throughout the study.