4.2.1

20th Century Diseases & Treatments

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New Diseases and Treatments in the 20th Century

The 20th century was shaped by huge advancements in medicine. There were a number of developments in understanding the body and diseases.

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Stem cells

  • In 1953, Leroy Stevens discovered stem cells.
    • These are cells which can renew themselves.
  • In 2013, the first human liver was grown only using stem cells.
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DNA

  • In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson from the University of Cambridge mapped out DNA structure.
    • This allowed developments in gene therapy, genetic screening and genetic engineering.
  • In the 1990s, the Human Genome Project was launched, this was designed to identify all 40,000 genes in the human body.
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Exploring the body

  • In 1972, Geoffrey Hounsfield created CAT scanners, which could produce 3D images of the human body.
  • In 1976, endoscope probes were developed which meant doctors could look inside human bodies.
  • In 1987 MRI scanning was developed, this gave doctors a scan of a human body using magnets.
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Vaccines, allergies and fertility

  • From 1946 to 1969 free vaccines were made available in the UK.
    • These were for diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles and rubella.
  • In the 1950s, Peter Medawar developed anti-histamine, which helps prevent allergies.
  • In the 1970s, Patrick Steptoe discovered IVF fertility treatment to help pregnancy. In 1978, Louise Brown was the first IVF baby.
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Issues today

  • Today, doctors cannot cure all infections and diseases.
    • Viral infections like AIDS and some types of cancer cannot be completely cured.

Antibiotic Resistance

Despite these developments in antibiotics, scientists learned that they could be overused.

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Antibiotic resistance

  • If antibiotics were used too much and not all bacteria dies when antibiotics are taken, then bacteria can evolve and become resistant.
  • If antibiotics stop killing bacteria then surgery and infections would be more similar to the Middle Ages.
    • If the bacteria can’t be killed this would make surgery less common because more people would die from infections.
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MRSA

  • The first resistant bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), appeared in 1961.
  • MRSA infections have been reduced after the NHS encouraged medical staff to wash their hands continuously throughout the day.
    • This is consistent with Pasteur’s Germ Theory and Aseptic surgical methods. Things like disposable surgical gloves are useful for this.

Jump to other topics

1Medicine Stands Still

2The Beginnings of Change

3A Revolution in Medicine

4Modern Medicine

5Themes in Public Health

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