{"id":297,"date":"2023-06-10T13:56:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-10T13:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=297"},"modified":"2026-05-29T16:32:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:32:23","slug":"the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history","title":{"rendered":"The Top 10 Medical Advances in History"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#1_Antibiotics_Revolutionizing_the_treatment_of_infections\" >1. Antibiotics: Revolutionizing the treatment of infections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#2_Vaccines_Preventing_deadly_diseases\" >2. Vaccines: Preventing deadly diseases<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#3_Anesthesia_Transforming_surgical_procedures\" >3. Anesthesia: Transforming surgical procedures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#4_X-rays_and_Medical_Imaging_Advancements_in_non-invasive_diagnostics\" >4. X-rays and Medical Imaging: Advancements in non-invasive diagnostics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#5_Germ_Theory_Small_changes_make_a_big_impact\" >5. Germ Theory: Small changes make a big impact<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#6_Organ_Transplantation_Saving_lives_through_organ_replacement\" >6. Organ Transplantation: Saving lives through organ replacement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#7_Genetic_Engineering_Unlocking_the_secrets_of_life\" >7. Genetic Engineering: Unlocking the secrets of life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#8_Heart_Surgery_Pioneering_cardiovascular_interventions\" >8. Heart Surgery: Pioneering cardiovascular interventions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#9_Antiseptics_Enhancing_Sterilization_and_infection_control\" >9. Antiseptics: Enhancing Sterilization and infection control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#10_Insulin_Saving_millions_of_lives_daily\" >10. Insulin: Saving millions of lives daily<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#Honorable_Mentions\" >Honorable Mentions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#Epidemiology\" >Epidemiology<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#3D_Printing\" >3D Printing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#Artificial_Intelligence_AI\" >Artificial Intelligence (AI)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>A variety of important medical discoveries have revolutionized healthcare throughout history, radically transforming the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. In today\u2019s Osmosis blog, we\u2019re sharing our top picks for medical advancements that have contributed to the overall health and wellness of humanity.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout history, medical advances (particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries) have revolutionized how physicians understand, diagnose, and treat disease. These advances have directly contributed to the significant rise in global life expectancy, nearly tripling it from just 28.5 years in 1800 to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/life-expectancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">72.6 years in 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We invite you to take a look at our top ten picks for medical advances that have had the most profound impact on humanity and our long-term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/angry-germ-antibiotic-illustration.png?w=697\" alt=\"Illustrated germ angry at antibiotics\" class=\"wp-image-298\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:436px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/angry-germ-antibiotic-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/angry-germ-antibiotic-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Antibiotics_Revolutionizing_the_treatment_of_infections\"><\/span>1. Antibiotics: Revolutionizing the treatment of infections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discovery of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Mechanisms_of_antibiotic_resistance\">antibiotics<\/a> stands as one of the most critical advances in medical history. They were discovered in 1928 when Alexander Fleming returned home from vacation to find a petri dish on his workbench&nbsp;filled with a strain of mold that was not only thriving but also limiting the growth of bacteria.&nbsp;The true significance of Fleming&#8217;s discovery became apparent more than a decade later when penicillin, the active substance in the mold, was isolated in 1940.&nbsp;The effectiveness of the antibiotic was immediately evident during World War II in the treatment of battle wounds, saving the lives of an estimated 200,000 soldiers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Cell_wall_synthesis_inhibitors:_Penicillins\">Penicillin<\/a> remains a primary treatment for bacterial infections and has paved the way for developing numerous other antibiotics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the treatment of infectious diseases, the existence of antibiotics meant that procedures like open-heart surgery, organ transplants, and chemotherapy could become a reality. Many view the years between 1940 and 1960 as the &#8220;golden era&#8221; for antibiotics, with a good portion of them developed over that period and still in use today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1369527419300190\">Saves millions of people annually<\/a> by treating infections and making surgery and chemotherapy safer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In World War II, antibiotics saved about 200,000 soldier lives from infected wounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/viruses-and-vaccines-illustration.png\" alt=\"Illustration of viruses and vaccines in both pill and injection form.\" class=\"wp-image-528\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:428px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/viruses-and-vaccines-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/viruses-and-vaccines-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Vaccines_Preventing_deadly_diseases\"><\/span>2. Vaccines: Preventing deadly diseases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fact the word <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/a-quick-history-of-vaccines-from-smallpox-to-covid\">vaccine<\/a> derives from the Latin word for cow is no coincidence, given&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1069029\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edward Jenner&#8217;s discovery<\/a>&nbsp;in 1776. He observed milkmaids who&#8217;d been exposed to the relatively mild cowpox virus developed an immunity to the more serious smallpox virus. His discovery led to the development of the smallpox vaccine, and 179 years later, in 1977, smallpox was eradicated (and remains the only disease ever to be entirely eradicated).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite significant advances, the modern vaccine wasn&#8217;t developed until 1950, when a rampant outbreak caused parents to isolate their children to prevent them from catching <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Poliovirus\">polio<\/a>. Governments spent millions researching a vaccine, and, in 1952, Jonas Salk and his team at the University of Pittsburgh delivered. Perhaps even more extraordinarily, Salk did not file a patent, saying &#8220;[the vaccine] belonged to the people.&#8221; Due to his kindness, polio has just about been eradicated globally, with a handful (six) cases in 2021 and two as of May 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From these origins, vaccines were developed for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/vaccines-list.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">many serious illnesses<\/a>, such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles, meningococcal, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Mycobacterium_tuberculosis_(Tuberculosis)\">tuberculosis<\/a>, chicken pox, and HPV, to name but a few. The development of vaccines has prevented countless deaths and brought many potentially deadly diseases under control, including COVID-19 and its many variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eradicating smallpox prevented 300\u2013500 million deaths in the 20th century.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaccines prevent 4\u20135 million deaths per year (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/24-04-2024-global-immunization-efforts-have-saved-at-least-154-million-lives-over-the-past-50-years\">WHO<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/group-of-health-professionals-illustration.png\" alt=\"A group of health professionals\" class=\"wp-image-529\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:450px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/group-of-health-professionals-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/group-of-health-professionals-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Anesthesia_Transforming_surgical_procedures\"><\/span>3. Anesthesia: Transforming surgical procedures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to the mid-1800s, surgical procedures were limited due to the excruciating pain patients experienced. This changed in 1846 when&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/health\/the-painful-story-behind-modern-anesthesia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">William TG Morton<\/a>&nbsp;used ether to anesthetize a patient for surgery.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/General_anesthetics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drugs used to anesthetize patients<\/a>&nbsp;for surgery have come a long way since these early days. Techniques have also been refined and, when used in combination with new technologies, have resulted in significant&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12871-018-0504-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gains in patient safety<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Global standards have been established for monitoring hemodynamics, vital signs, and respiration, among others. Technology helps assess the depth of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/General_anesthetics\">anesthesia<\/a>, while algorithms help assess patient comfort levels. As a result, many surgical procedures that would not have been possible without these developments have become relatively routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enables safe surgery, organ transplantation, and trauma repair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Saves millions indirectly by allowing for lifesaving operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/doctor-reading-xray-illustration.png\" alt=\"Image of a doctor reading an x-ray.\" class=\"wp-image-301\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:422px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/doctor-reading-xray-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/doctor-reading-xray-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_X-rays_and_Medical_Imaging_Advancements_in_non-invasive_diagnostics\"><\/span>4. X-rays and Medical Imaging: Advancements in non-invasive diagnostics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the advent of medical imaging, physicians relied on their sense of touch, observations, and the patient&#8217;s account of their symptoms to diagnose them. The discovery of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Reading_a_chest_X-ray\">X-rays<\/a> by William Conrad Roentgen in 1896 revolutionized diagnostic medicine based on his experimentation with electric currents and glass cathode-ray tubes. The potential of his discovery in the diagnostic process was immediately recognized, with Glasgow Hospital opening its first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/The_radiology_fellow_and_the_avoidable_lawsuit_(Coverys)\">radiology<\/a> department just a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image. In 1956, its usefulness in the medical field was recognized and found particularly useful in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Pregnancy\">prenatal monitoring<\/a> and detecting pelvic and abdominal conditions. This discovery was followed by computed tomography (CT) in 1967 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 1973.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As technology has advanced, so have the images these tools produce. Medical professionals can now obtain detailed images of what&#8217;s happening inside a body, allowing them to confidently diagnose conditions, such as cysts, tumors, and other abnormalities non-invasively. The ability to visualize the internal structures and organs is vital to the early diagnosis and treatment of many brain, heart, lung, liver, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Kidney_histology\">kidney conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Now used in over 3.6 billion diagnostic procedures annually worldwide (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/feature-stories\/detail\/to-x-ray-or-not-to-x-ray-\">WHO<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critical for early detection of cancer, fractures, strokes, and internal bleeding, dramatically reducing preventable deaths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variety-of-germs-illustration.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a variety of germs under a microscope\" class=\"wp-image-302\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:455px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variety-of-germs-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variety-of-germs-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Germ_Theory_Small_changes_make_a_big_impact\"><\/span>5. Germ Theory: Small changes make a big impact<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The introduction of anesthetics in 1844 meant that doctors could attempt longer and more complex procedures. However, post-surgery infection rates were soaring, along with mortality rates, limiting progress since scientists had no explanation for what caused infection until French microbiologist Louis Pasteur developed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencemuseum.org.uk\/objects-and-stories\/medicine\/listers-antisepsis-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">germ theory<\/a>&nbsp;in 1861.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pasteur&#8217;s work proved that infections resulted from microorganisms or pathogens entering the body. Joseph Lister (see #9 in our list) applied Pasteur&#8217;s theory to surgical infections (despite being labeled &#8220;mad&#8221; by many of his colleagues). As infection rates improved, his peers had to acknowledge the value of his approach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the century and a half since Lister&#8217;s application of Pasteur&#8217;s work, a variety of diseases that had previously killed thousands, such as the plague, dysentery, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Salmonella_typhi_(typhoid_fever)\">typhoid fever<\/a>, have all been brought under control through understanding and applying germ theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Credited with huge declines in infectious disease deaths before antibiotics and vaccines scaled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean water, sewers, antiseptics, and handwashing prevent disease spread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/liver-transplant-to-infant-illustration.png\" alt=\"Representation of an adult donating some of their liver to an infant for organ transplantation.\" class=\"wp-image-303\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:431px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/liver-transplant-to-infant-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/liver-transplant-to-infant-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Organ_Transplantation_Saving_lives_through_organ_replacement\"><\/span>6. Organ Transplantation: Saving lives through organ replacement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8682823\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first successful kidney transplant<\/a>&nbsp;was performed by Joseph Murray in 1954. While it had been attempted before, this was the first time the patient survived the surgery. By 1968, surgeons successfully completed pancreas, liver, and heart transplants, with the first heart-lung transplant in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although these procedures extended the recipients&#8217; lives, rejection was still a significant problem, limiting the number of transplants. Medical researchers began to focus on developing immunosuppressant medications. The discovery of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Antirejection_immunosuppressants:_Nursing_Pharmacology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cyclosporine<\/a>&nbsp;proved to be a major breakthrough in 1984, opening the door for more challenging transplants involving live donors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of September 2022, US doctors have completed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unos.org\/transplant\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 million<\/a>&nbsp;transplants and performed more than&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unos.org\/transplant\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">40,000<\/a>&nbsp;transplants annually, extending lives and improving the quality of life for numerous patients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Today, more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transplant-observatory.org\/\">150,000 organ transplants<\/a> are performed globally each year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/geneticist-working-illustration.png\" alt=\"Geneticist working on a genetics project in the lab.\" class=\"wp-image-304\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/geneticist-working-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/geneticist-working-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Genetic_Engineering_Unlocking_the_secrets_of_life\"><\/span>7. Genetic Engineering: Unlocking the secrets of life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-023-01313-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin<\/a>&nbsp;revolutionized molecular biology. The development of a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK218247\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">map of the human genome<\/a>&nbsp;has been vital in predicting and understanding the incidence of many diseases. While this information is already used to screen and create interventions for at-risk groups for conditions for which they may have a predisposition, the potential is even greater, with the possibility of personalized medicine and gene therapies close to becoming an everyday reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As researchers have learned more about the human genome, they&#8217;ve developed techniques to manipulate it, which has given rise to gene therapy and genetic engineering. Although it&#8217;s still very much in its infancy, the potential for medicine is huge, with scientists able to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/news-releases\/infant-rare-incurable-disease-first-successfully-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-treatment\">insert recombinant DNA<\/a> into organisms to replace &#8220;faulty&#8221; sections and thereby reduce or remove genetic predispositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As of 2022, the cost of sequencing a whole genome dropped from $2.7 billion (2003) to under $1,000, making precision medicine widely accessible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are over 100 approved gene, cell, or RNA therapies globally as of early 2023. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10727993\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PMC<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than 3,700 gene, cell, or RNA therapies are in development (clinical + preclinical) worldwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For CRISPR-based experimental therapies, about 200 people have been treated so far (not all successfully), as of reports around 2023. <a href=\"https:\/\/bioedge.org\/enhancement\/genetic-engineering\/more-than-200-people-have-been-treated-with-experimental-crispr-therapies\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BioEdge<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/open-heart-surgery-illustration.png\" alt=\"A human heart during open heart surgery, with clamps surrounding it.\" class=\"wp-image-305\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/open-heart-surgery-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/open-heart-surgery-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Heart_Surgery_Pioneering_cardiovascular_interventions\"><\/span>8. Heart Surgery: Pioneering cardiovascular interventions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was performed by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jtcvs.org\/article\/S0022-5223(18)30710-4\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Rene Favaloro<\/a>&nbsp;in 1967 when he took a vein from his patient&#8217;s leg and used it to bypass a blocked coronary artery. This innovative procedure restores blood flow to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Cardiac_muscle_histology\">heart muscle<\/a> and relieves the symptoms of angina and the likelihood of a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the last 25 years, doctors have developed various&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3134935\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">minimally invasive cardiac procedures<\/a>&nbsp;to treat heart disease, negating many risks associated with open-heart surgery. In addition, using robotics to assist in cardiac procedures has further helped decrease surgery times, improve patient comfort, and reduce recovery times.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patients who have undergone a CABG and made it through the first month following the surgery have a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2017\/06\/170607123935.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life expectancy<\/a>&nbsp;similar to that of the general population. In the US, cardiovascular interventions have contributed to the death rate from heart attacks falling from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acc.org\/About-ACC\/Press-Releases\/2023\/02\/22\/21\/30\/Heart-Attack-Deaths-Drop-Over-Past-Two-Decades#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20the%20overall%20rate,per%20100%2C000%20people%20in%202020.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">87 per 100,000<\/a>&nbsp;in 1999 to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acc.org\/About-ACC\/Press-Releases\/2023\/02\/22\/21\/30\/Heart-Attack-Deaths-Drop-Over-Past-Two-Decades#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20the%20overall%20rate,per%20100%2C000%20people%20in%202020.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">38 per 100,000<\/a>&nbsp;in 2020, illustrating the importance of this still-evolving field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Since its introduction in the 1960s, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been performed on millions of patients worldwide, reducing deaths from coronary artery disease.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Today, approximately 1 to 1.5 million cardiac surgical procedures take place each year. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S277299312300373X\">Science Direct<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variation-of-anti-septic-illustration.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a variety of antiseptics in bottles and antiseptic pads.\" class=\"wp-image-312\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:393px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variation-of-anti-septic-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/variation-of-anti-septic-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Antiseptics_Enhancing_Sterilization_and_infection_control\"><\/span>9. Antiseptics: Enhancing Sterilization and infection control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Joseph Lister&#8217;s development of antiseptics significantly improved infection control in surgery and beyond. Concerned with the high mortality rate following surgery, Lister began experimenting with different techniques to prevent infection, developing the antisepsis system in a home laboratory while working with his wife and assistant, Agnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Medical_and_surgical_asepsis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aseptic technique<\/a>&nbsp;minimizes the risk of outside contaminants and is at the heart of infection control in all areas of medicine. Handwashing between patients is now so commonplace that it seems hard to believe it was not always the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lister&#8217;s work lowered his surgical patient mortality from 46% to 15% over just a few years. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/bitesize\/guides\/zwkm97h\/revision\/5\">BBC<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His work laid the groundwork for modern sterile and antiseptic surgical techniques, which remain the standard for combating infection.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/glucose-checking-and-insulin-illustration.png\" alt=\"A person checking their glucose levels with a meter and insulin in a syringe.\" class=\"wp-image-307\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:421px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/glucose-checking-and-insulin-illustration.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/glucose-checking-and-insulin-illustration.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Insulin_Saving_millions_of_lives_daily\"><\/span>10. Insulin: Saving millions of lives daily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Insulin\">insulin<\/a>, a diagnosis of type I diabetes is no longer a death sentence, but prior to 1922, children diagnosed with type I diabetes were expected to live for just one and a half years, and adults less than ten. The discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick G Banting, Charles H Best, and JJR Macleod at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jci.org\/articles\/view\/142239\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Toronto<\/a>&nbsp;meant that those with diabetes could live a relatively normal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.org.uk\/research\/research-impact\/insulin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Collip<\/a>&nbsp;joined the team to help purify the insulin. Fourteen-year-old&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.umassmed.edu\/dcoe\/diabetes-education\/patient-resources\/first-insulin-injection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leonard Thompson<\/a>, who was dying from Type I diabetes, was the first patient to receive this lifesaving treatment. After his second dose, his blood glucose levels normalized, with no side effects observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discovery of insulin is especially pertinent today, with the significant global increase in cases of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Diabetes_mellitus:_Pathology_review\">type II diabetes<\/a>. Insulin helps control <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Glucagon\">blood glucose levels<\/a> in those with diabetes and delays the onset of its debilitating symptoms, increasing the life expectancy of diabetes patients and saving health systems billions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Insulin turned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/history-insulin-usage-type-1-diabetes\">Type 1 Diabetes<\/a> from a fatal disease into a manageable one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drc.bmj.com\/content\/9\/1\/e002373\">Saves millions<\/a> of people daily worldwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/virus-3d-printer-robotic-arm.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a microphage virus, a 3D printer, and a robotic arm with a spy glass looking for AI.\" class=\"wp-image-308\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5119991864958309;width:426px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/virus-3d-printer-robotic-arm.png 697w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/virus-3d-printer-robotic-arm.png?resize=300,198 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Honorable_Mentions\"><\/span>Honorable Mentions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several other medical advances came close to making our top ten and definitely deserve some recognition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Epidemiology\"><\/span>Epidemiology<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hippocrates considered the connection between the environment, host factors, and disease development around 400 BC, and Joaqu\u00edn de Villalba first used the term epidemiology to explain these connections in the late 1700s. However, it was John Snow who meticulously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcseng.ac.uk\/library-and-publications\/library\/blog\/mapping-disease-john-snow-and-cholera\/\">mapped the incidence of cholera<\/a> in London in 1854, tracing the source of the infectious disease to specific water pumps while illustrating the importance of applying statistical analysis to the outbreak of disease, outcomes, and behaviors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3D_Printing\"><\/span>3D Printing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.invent.org\/inductees\/charles-hull\">Chuck Hull<\/a> first developed &#8220;stereolithography,&#8221; (now known as 3D printing) in 1983, few could have imagined its medical applications. Thirty years later, the technology enables scientists to print the scaffolds for organs, <a href=\"https:\/\/magazine.medlineplus.gov\/article\/prosthetics-through-the-ages\">prosthetic limbs<\/a>, and medications. With the technology still very much in the early stages, the future applications of 3D printing in healthcare have incredible potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Artificial_Intelligence_AI\"><\/span>Artificial Intelligence (AI)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Artificial intelligence is already making its mark in many aspects of medicine. It&#8217;s assisting medical professionals in diagnosing and treating illness, with its potential seemingly limitless to the extent that it&#8217;s likely to be a permanent fixture on future top 10 lists. The current challenges involve overcoming the ethical issues around how much control machines have over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41746-025-01460-1\">diagnostic and treatment process<\/a> and ensuring accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It takes many pieces of a puzzle to see the bigger picture. While every little piece of knowledge improves our ability to diagnose and treat illness, these top ten medical advances have more than left their mark by drastically improving the life expectancy and health outcomes of millions of people. With so many rapid technological advancements, scientists can better understand, investigate, and develop treatments, building on these discoveries to improve health outcomes globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Antibiotics revolutionized infection treatment, enabling complex surgeries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaccines prevented deadly diseases, eradicating smallpox.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anesthesia transformed surgical procedures and patient safety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Imaging technologies enhanced non-invasive diagnostics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genetic engineering and organ transplantation opened new treatment frontiers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/try-it-free-today-banner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/try-it-free-today-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/try-it-free-today-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Curious? Discover why millions of learners use Osmosis over old-school study techniques and cramming. Start your <a href=\"http:\/\/osmosis.org\/plans\">free trial<\/a> today!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore ten key medical advances such as antibiotics, vaccines, anesthesia, and AI that have transformed healthcare and boosted global life expectancy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":176,"featured_media":310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,14,23,30,16,37,42,1],"tags":[72,80,77,75,78,81,70,74,76,71,73],"class_list":["post-297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-dental","category-healthcare-facts","category-np","category-do","category-pa","category-research","category-uncategorized","tag-anesthesia","tag-antiseptics","tag-genetic-engineering","tag-germ-theory","tag-heart-surgery","tag-insulin","tag-medical-advances","tag-medical-imaging","tag-organ-transplantation","tag-vaccines","tag-xrays"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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