Modern medicine
Genetics
During 19th century Mendel showed that human characteristics can be passed through generations
20th century - New technology allowed scientists to analyse human cells in greater detail
During 20th century scientists found that each cell in the body contains DNA which controls the genes of people
James Watson and Francis Crick worked together on genetics codes fitting DNA together
Watson and Crick analysed crystallography by Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin
1953 - Watson and Crick work out double helix structure of DNA
1990 - James Watson led the Human Genome Project and began identifying and mapping every gene in human DNA
DNA study results
A better understanding of some genetic conditions like down's syndrome has been achieved
Predicting whether individuals are at higher of developing some cancers
Discovering stem cells can differentiate into different cells
There is no cure of effective treatment for most genetic conditions yet
There is not a way of preventing most genetic diseases
Lifestyle
Smoking is linked with many diseases like emphysema
Drinking alcohol links to cancer to liver and kidney disease
Diet helps reduce disease with limiting sugar and fat
Diagnosis
Doctors use knowledge, medical books, medical testing and science and technology to diagnose
Laboratories are used to test skin or blood
X-rays, scans and endoscopes used to see into the body
Monitors to understand over a period of time
Blood helps diseases diagnosed with surgical investigation
Technology
Incubators
X-rays
Prothetic limbs
MRI, CT and ultrasound scans
Endoscopes
Pacemakers
Dialysis machines
Insulin pumps
Blood pressure/sugar monitors
Hypodermic needles
Microscopes
Magic bullets
Koch discovers different chemical dyes stain specific microbes
Behring discovers the body manufactures antitoxins that only attack disease causing microbes
Paul Ehrlich searched for a chemical compound that would attack and kill microbes causing disease
Compounds of Salvarsan were tested for syphilis, funded by German government
1909 - Dr Hata joined the search and found that the already tested Salvarsan 606 worked
1932 - Gerhard Domagk finds second magic bullet prontosil, which cures some blood poisoning
Scientists found a key ingredient in Prontosil, sulphonamide also cured pneumonia, scarlet fever and meningitis
Antibiotics
Inspired by penicillin, experimented with other moulds and found other antibiotics
Scientists were able to make antibiotics once the chemical structure was found, solving the problem of growing them
Due to overuse many bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics
Advances
Keyhole/microsurgery - Tiny cameras and surgical instruments allowed small incisions to be made
Keyhole surgery reduced recovery time and allowed for nerve reattachment and blood vessels
Some surgery can be carried out remotely by robots, making it more precise