Decade of Advances in Medicine — 1993

Researchers clone human embryos for the first time. Relationship found between higher levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins, or HDL) and lower rates of heart disease. Scientists locate genes for Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer, hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease and Huntington's chorea. Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to Richard J. Roberts (UK) and Phillip A. Sharp (USA) for the discovery of "split" genes (genes interrupted by nonsense segments of DNA), which may help doctors better diagnose cancer. New antihistamine introduced that does not cause drowsiness. Studies find calcium and vitamin D supplements lower risk of hip fractures in the elderly.

A new body imaging technology called functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) greatly improves our ability to map the functions of various areas of the human brain. To learn more about this breakthrough in medical diagnostics, click here to read the full story.

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