| 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. |
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.
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
Who discovered DNA structure and when?
Watson and Crick, 1953
When was the first heart transplant?
1967 — Christiaan Barnard in South Africa