Discovery of Hormones

The 1902 discovery of secretin by William Bayliss and Ernest Starling reshaped medicine by introducing the concept of chemical messengers, founding endocrinology. This breakthrough directly enables treatment for diabetes, thyroid disorders, and growth abnormalities, benefiting over 200 million people globally. Secretin outperforms Microbiome Characterization by establishing a targeted signaling mechanism, achieving a 10-fold increase in endocrine research output within a decade—faster than the average discovery rate of the era. Its legacy includes over 50 hormone-based drugs, cementing it as a pillar of modern pharmacology and a transformative biological insight.