Which factor has had the biggest impact on medicine?

Ok enough of Lister, lets move on.

People make a big difference to the history of medicine. But, people and individual moments of brilliance are not the only reason we have progress in the history of medicine.
How have factors like teamwork, science and technology, government, money, religion, war and chance helped bring progress.

Which factor has helped and hindered medicine the most?

How has the government improved medicine? Or do they only care about our health so that we can pay taxes and win wars?

Has religion helped medicine or did it just prevent progress?

Imagine if we did not have technology like the printing press or microscope.  Without it would there have been as much progress?

Welcome,

Here is your opportunity to show off what you know.
Read the posts carefully and see if you can argue against your peers.
Back up your comments with detailed evidence.


Which individual has made the biggest contribution to the History of Medicine?