BMJ launches medical milestones poll

The British Medical Journal has chosen to commemorate the relaunch of its paper and on-line publications by inviting its readers to vote for the most important medical milestone since 1840, when the publication was founded. The short-list of 15 advances includes a number of pharmaceutical products.

The list of candidates for the title of most significant medical advance includes: anesthesia; antibiotics; chlorpromazine; computers; discovery of DNA structure; evidence-based medicine; germ theory; immunology; medical imaging (X-rays, etc); oral contraceptive pill; oral rehydration therapy; risks of smoking; sanitation (clean water and sewage disposal); tissue culture; and vaccines. Voting was due to end on January 14 with the results announced on January 18 at a special event in London, UK.