In this article, we take a look at the 5 most important medical discoveries in history. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the medicine industry, go directly to the 15 Most Important Medical Discoveries in History.
5. Development of a Technique for Producing Monoclonal Antibodies
Year of Medical Discovery: 1984
Nobel Prize Winner: Niels Jerne, Georges Köhler, and César Milstein
Niels Jerne, Georges Köhler, and César Milstein’s work on monoclonal antibodies have created treatments for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and some forms of cancer and viral infections. In 1984, Jerne, Köhler, and Milstein were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for the development of a technique for producing monoclonal antibodies. The discovery of monoclonal antibodies is ranked fifth on our list of the most important medical discoveries in history.
4. Development of Kidney and Bone Marrow Transplants
Year of Medical Discovery: 1990
Nobel Prize Winner: Joseph Murray and Edward Donnall Thomas
Joseph Murray and Edward Donnall Thomas came up with a major development of kidney and bone marrow transplants. In 1990, Murray and Thomas got the Nobel Prize for their work regarding organ and cell transplantation. The development of kidney and bone marrow transplants is one of the most important medical discoveries in history.
3. Development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Year of Medical Discovery: 2003
Nobel Prize Winner: Paul Lauterbur and Sir Peter Mansfield
Today, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common technique to study the normality and abnormality of soft human tissues. Paul Lauterbur and Sir Peter Mansfield made a groundbreaking discovery of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and made it to our list of the most important medical discoveries in history.
2. Discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Year of Medical Discovery: 2008
Nobel Prize Winner: Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Luc Montagnier, and Harald zur Hausen
The discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the biggest developments of modern times in medical science. HIV is a causative agent of AIDS which is one of the biggest causes of death worldwide. In 2008, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Luc Montagnier, and Harald zur Hausen were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of HIV and ranks second on our list of the most important medical discoveries in history.
1. Development of In Vitro Fertilization
Year of Medical Discovery: 2010
Nobel Prize Winner: Robert Edwards
One of the most unconventional discoveries of medical science is the development of in vitro fertilization. Robert Edwards’ work on in vitro fertilization led to the first ‘test-tube baby,’ winning him a Nobel Prize in 2010. This development has allowed millions of interfile couples to have children. The introduction of in vitro fertilization is ranked first on our list of the most important medical discoveries in history.
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