Why did scientists originally hypothesize that proteolytic enzymes like pepsin and trypsin are secreted in inactive form?

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Scientists hypothesized that proteolytic enzymes like pepsin and trypsin are secreted in an inactive form because they realized that these enzymes, in their active form, would digest the very tissues that synthesize them. Therefore, to prevent self-digestion, these enzymes are secreted in an inactive form and are only activated when needed.

Why Did Scientists Originally Hypothesize That Proteolytic Enzymes Like Pepsin