Key 20th/21st Century Developments
Part of Modern Medicine · GCSE GCSE History revision
This key facts covers Key 20th/21st Century Developments within Modern Medicine for GCSE History. Revise Modern Medicine in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 2 of 17 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 17
Practice
8 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
📊 Key 20th/21st Century Developments
| Development | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| DNA structure | 1953 | Watson & Crick. Foundation for genetic medicine, genetic testing, gene therapy. |
| First kidney transplant | 1954 | Joseph Murray (USA). Led to transplant surgery as standard treatment. |
| First heart transplant | 1967 | Christiaan Barnard (South Africa). Patient lived 18 days. Transplants now routine. |
| IVF baby | 1978 | Louise Brown — first "test tube baby." Revolutionised fertility treatment. |
| Human Genome Project | 2003 | Mapped all 20,000+ human genes. Opens door to personalised medicine. |
| COVID-19 vaccines | 2020–21 | mRNA technology developed in record time. New vaccine platform for future diseases. |
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Modern Medicine. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Modern Medicine
In which year did Watson and Crick discover the structure of DNA?
Who performed the world's first heart transplant in 1967?
Quick Recall Flashcards
8 questions on Modern Medicine — practise free
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