What Has Been The Most Important Scientific Discovery By Man Ever? (Essay Sample)

"What Has Been The Most Important Scientific Discovery By Man Ever?"
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"What Has Been The Most Important Scientific Discovery By Man Ever?"
Throughout the history of the world, there have existed scientists who have come forth with many discoveries that have transformed the world, for the better. Although some other discoveries have come to ruin the world, making it unsafe place, there exist hundreds of refined discoveries that have contributed a great deal, in positively shaping life on earth. Many of such discoveries are well known. However, there exist some other discoveries that are easily ignored regardless of the lots of incredible impacts they have contributed on the planet. Penicillin is one of the most significant scientific discoveries by man ever made (De 2005, p. 76). Its invention has greatly helped in the development of other medicines and even further other advancements in the world of medicine. Penicillin, “a wonder drug,” has tremendously facilitated in the discoveries of other antibiotics, which have saved the world of many deaths that were a common thing, prior to the discovery of the drug (Baran et al. 2013, p. 25).
The discovery process of penicillin started in the year 1928, when Alexander Flemming noticed some bacteria and fungus growth on his workstation and another dish containing “mold juice (De 2005, p. 32).” The scientists then realized that his “mold juice” could kill some of the bacteria. Through the help of his assistant, Frederick Ridley and Stuart Craddock, the trio isolated the penicillin from the “mold juice” giving birth to the anti-bacterial drug. Penicillin was then officially introduced in 1940s to the medical industry in the era of World War II (De 2005, p. 43). During the time, the drug was widely produced and used as a therapeutic medicine, especially in treating soldiers who fought in the War.
Before the discovery of penicillin, the world lacked an effective drug that could treat such infections as gonorrhea, pneumonia and rheumatic fever (De 2005, p.37). People could die from such ailments resulting from blood poisoning caused by small cuts or scratches. Doctors could not do anything to save people with bacterial or fungus infections other than waiting and hoping for miracles to happen. The adoption of penicillin in curing a wide range of diseases in the mid 90s led to the development of pharmaceutical industries in the United States and Europe. This furthered the study and research for more natural products that could possess antibacterial activity, which led to the discoveries of new antibiotics for instance streptomycin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides and many more (Baran et al. 2013, p. 65).
Today, medical industry is experiencing breakthroughs, with the discoveries of new medicines (Stringer and Ahmadi 2009, p. 904). As new diseases keep on surfacing, advancements in medical science and technology have over the years stood out in helping eradicating the diseases, saving ...