Decade of Advances in Medicine — 1996

Scientists study a new type of pain and anti-inflammatory medication—the COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) inhibitor. Laparoscopic surgery is broadcast live via the Internet. Surgeons pioneer with cross-species transplants (xenografts or xenotransplants) using pig and baboon tissues. Entire genome of the yeast Saccharomyce cerevisiae is sequenced. Peter C. Doherty (Australia) and Rolf M. Zinkernagel (Switzerland) win Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovery of how the immune system recognizes cells infected by viruses. Researchers discover gene defect that triggers obesity in mice.

After much heated debate, scientists agree to release DNA sequence data—the “recipe” for life—into public databases. To find out more about both sides of this issue that will deeply affect the future of medical practice, click here to read the full story.

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