DNA
The last of our scientific discoveries that have extended the average life expectancy is not yet history; in fact, it’s only had a minimal impact as of yet. In the future, however, this may be as important as any of the other discoveries we’ve discussed.
DNA was first isolated in 1869, but its molecular structure was not identified until 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. The code of DNA was finally cracked during the 1960s. The human genome was not fully sequenced until 2003.
The impact of DNA on the human life span has not been too significant yet on a broad scale. Today, our understanding of genetics can provide additional information to allow people to take preventative measures. For instance, we know that some types of cancer are linked to particular genes, and that preventative therapeutic measures may be worthwhile for at-risk individuals. Genetic counseling and pre-implantation testing, when used in combination with fertility treatments, can allow parents who carry genetic disorders to have healthy babies.
In the long term, increased understanding of genetics may lead to individualized drugs, for a variety of condition. For instance, cancer treatments could be engineered to destroy a specific tumor or drugs could be chosen to correct health conditions from depression to high blood pressure. Increased understanding of genetics may lead to earlier diagnosis of a variety of health conditions and the potential for prevention and treatment, and increased ability to prevent the development of genetic disorders.