One of the greatest discoveries in medical history

Discovery of HIV

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was first observed in the 1980's [3]. At that time, there was no available cure, and hence the disease was fatal. AIDS promised to pose a significant threat to human survival. Tremendous medical research was carried out to decipher the secrets of the disease. Though AIDS has not yet been eradicated [1], people are now educated about the causes of AIDS and hence can avoid it. Also drugs to cure AIDS have been developed. The initial impetus to the epic battle against AIDS was provided by the discovery of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the pathogen that causes AIDS. This discovery may be accorded the honor of being one of the greatest discoveries in medical history. This discover is attributed to Luc Montagnier (Nobel Prize for Medicine, 2008) and Robert Gallo [2].

References:

1. UNAIDS, WHO (December 2007). "2007 AIDS epidemic update" (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
   
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS
   
3. http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery-health/4907-100-greatest-discoveries-medicine-video.htm