Historical Background of ENVI II Healthy by design: The new frontier of medicine. With the first human trials using CRISPR on cancer patients underway, there has been growing concern regarding the future of gene modification as an effective treatment and prevention tool. How can the integrity of patients be safeguarded, whilst realising the potential of precision medicine?
In 1796, Edward Jenner inoculated a 13 yearold-boy with vaccinia virus, and demonstrated immunity to smallpox. Two years later the first vaccine was developed, opening the gate to two centuries of systematic implementation of mass immunisation, and the global eradication of many pathologies. The history of public health is the quest for effective means of securing health and preventing disease in the population.
The need for organised health protection grew as part of the development of community life and, in particular, urbanisation. Attempting to control communicable disease by sanitation, town planning, and provision of medical care became the norm, and scientific progress has now brought as to a point where replacing damaged organs via transplantation and employing nuclear isotopes to treat cancer is the norm.