What were the most significant breakthroughs in medical research of the 1990s?

The 1990s was a decade of incredible medical breakthroughs that significantly advanced healthcare, improved quality of life, and extended the human lifespan. One of the most notable medical advances of the 1990s was the development of protease inhibitors, which are medications used to treat HIV/AIDS. Protease inhibitors were first approved by the FDA in 1995 and transformed the treatment of HIV/AIDS from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition.

Another significant medical breakthrough of the 1990s was the development of the first effective vaccine against hepatitis A, which is a highly contagious liver infection. The vaccine was approved by the FDA in 1995 and has since prevented countless cases of hepatitis A around the world.

Furthermore, the Human Genome Project, which began in 1990 and was completed in 2003, was a monumental achievement that led to a greater understanding of genetic diseases and paved the way for personalized medicine. The project identified and mapped all of the genes in the human genome, which helped researchers identify genetic risk factors for diseases and develop targeted treatments.