Westmoreland County has played an important part in the development of Pennsylvania and the nation, so it seems natural that many of its sons and daughters have made major contributions of their own. As 2023 comes to a close — and with it, the 250th anniversary of the founding of
October 29th marks the 41st anniversary of one of biotechnology’s most significant milestones the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Humulin, human insulin synthesized in genetically engineered bacteria to treat diabetes. The first “biopharmaceutical,” or drug made with molecular genetic engineering techniques, to be approved, it launched a revolutionary era in drug development.