Biochemistry

   

Four Decades of Innovation in Medicine (1980-2021)

Authors: Shazia Tahira

The field of Medicine has advanced at a very fast pace during the last 40 years thanks to the technological and digital revolution. A number of different innovations have taken place during this time period, from inventions of newer types of medicines, innovative surgical procedures, in-depth investigative methods, and advanced technological devices. In the 1980s, a number of technological innovations took place including the emergence of the first commercial MRI scanner, personal glucose meter, and cochlear implants. There were surgical advancements like laser cataract surgery, the invention of surgical robot, and, the intravascular stent. There was development of newer types of medications like the invention of Human Insulin and the first commercial hepatitis B vaccine. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and automated DNA sequencer were invented and DNA fingerprinting was done for the first time during this decade. In the 1990s, Human Genome Project began and Dolly, the sheep became the first mammal cloned. Newer treatment modalities began like cancer immunotherapy and targeted cancer therapy. Combination drug therapy for HIV (HAART) extended HIV survival. The first human embryonic stem cell line was created and Q-switched lasers, DNA microarray, and bionic limbs were invented during this decade. The 2000s witnessed the completion of the Human Genome Project with the completion of sequencing of the human genome. The first full-face transplant and first telesurgery were also done during this time period. Capsule endoscopy got FDA approval during this decade and there was invention of HPV vaccination. In the 2010s, the first successful synthetic cell, first artificial pancreas, and the first 3D-printed heart using human cells were created. The first skull transplant was done. Bionic Eye was invented, TAVR and eTNS System were given FDA approval. The first cancer vaccine (sipuleucel-T), first Ebola vaccine, and a new drug called Sofosbuvir with a 95% cure rate for Hepatitis C were FDA approved. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy was invented and the first gene therapy and CAR-T cell therapy were given FDA approval. Genome Guided Solid Tumor Diagnosis began and the use of Artificial Intelligence initiated especially in preventative and diagnostic healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, different COVID-19 vaccinations were given FDA or WHO emergency use authorization in 2020 and 2021 including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and COVAXIN. These innovations have opened up possibilities that were previously unimaginable in earlier decades, and have also paved the way for future advancements in medical research and delivery of healthcare.

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[v1] 2021-12-31 23:58:33

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