c.1900 - present

• DNA genetic conditions 


  • you DNA is a mix of your parents
  • DNA has a double helix structure
  • genetic conditions discovered
  • genetic conditions then got treatment and diagnosis
• lifestyle factors 


  • smoking caused lung cancer
  • obesity increased the chance of heart disease and diabetes
  • drinking too much could cause liver disease
  • being in the sun too much could cause skin cancer
• medical scans 


  • 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen discovered x-rays
  • advances in computers allowed doctors to used ultrasound
  • MRI scans were invented in 1970s and widely used in 1980s
• Fleming - penicillin 


  • antiseptic substances in tears, lysozyme discovered in 1922
  • 1928, he was cleaning and saw mould on a Patri dish
  • the mould was penicillin and killed bacteria
  • published his discovery 1929-1931
• the magic bullet - Pau Ehrlick

  • discovered dyes could kill malaria and sleeping sickness germs
  • in 1905 the STD syphilis cause was identified
  • arsenic compound = magic bullet
• transplants 


  • 1905, first successful transplant
  • transplants where limited as doctors lacked immunosuppressants - this stopped the immune system attacking
  • 1970s researchers increased effective immunosuppressants, making it safer
• keyhole surgery 


  • made surgery less invasive - smaller scars and quicker recovery
  • useful for detecting cause of pain
  • vasectomies, removing cysts or appendix etc.
• NHS 


  • William Beveridge made a report called "from the cradle to the grave"
  • 1945, the labour party was elected and inspired by Beveridge to create / found national health insurance
  • Aneurin Bevan, minister of health wanted free health care to set up national insurance
• lung cancer cause 


  • lung cancer was rare in 1900, it became common by 1940s
  • scientists discovered 90% of lung cancer cases are linked to tobacco smoking
  • in 1950, like between smoking and lung cancer proven by Richard Doll and Austin Bradford hill