[The double helix model of DNA: Its impact on biology and medicine 70 years after its initial publication].

The 70th anniversary of the publication of the double helix model for the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid has oppened the opportunity for reflections and to debate the specific role of each of the original protagonists. Here we review how this discovery has lead to our current medical knowledge and practice, and discuss what we think were the actual contributions of each of these scientists.