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04/10/2010
Nobel Prize Win For British IVF Pioneer
This year's Nobel prize for medicine has been awarded to British Scientist Robert Edwards, the man who devised IVF fertility treatment.
On 25 July 1978, his revolutionary work led to the birth of the world's first "test tube baby".
Since then almost four million babies have been born using the in vitro fertilisation method.
The success of IVF means an infertile couple have a one in five chance of conceiving, the same odds that healthy couples have of conceiving naturally.
The Nobel Assembly at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, who awarded the prize, said his achievements were "a milestone of modern medicine."
In 1968, Prof Edwards, now 85, was able to achieve fertilisation of a human egg in the laboratory and started to collaborate with Patrick Steptoe, a gynecologic surgeon from Oldham.
Their attempts were met with significant hostility and opposition from churches and governments.
The assembly said: "Today, Robert Edwards' vision is a reality and brings joy to infertile people all over the world.”
Prof Edwards, was not available to speak to the media due to ill health.
Nobel Committee Member Goran Hansson told the conference: "I spoke to his wife, and she was delighted. She was sure he would also be delighted."
The first IVF baby, Louise Brown, now 32, said: "Its fantastic news. Me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF has been given the recognition he deserves.
"We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations to him and his family at this time."
Professor Basil Tarlatzis, past-president of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, said: "This is a well deserved honour.
"IVF has opened new avenues of hope for millions of couples throughout the world.
"Edwards and Steptoe were real pioneers, and the award of the Nobel Prize honours not just their work, but the whole field of reproductive science.
"After their breakthrough work, Robert went on to nurture the development of the assisted reproduction.
"No-one deserves this award more, and we congratulate him."
(BMcN/GK)
On 25 July 1978, his revolutionary work led to the birth of the world's first "test tube baby".
Since then almost four million babies have been born using the in vitro fertilisation method.
The success of IVF means an infertile couple have a one in five chance of conceiving, the same odds that healthy couples have of conceiving naturally.
The Nobel Assembly at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, who awarded the prize, said his achievements were "a milestone of modern medicine."
In 1968, Prof Edwards, now 85, was able to achieve fertilisation of a human egg in the laboratory and started to collaborate with Patrick Steptoe, a gynecologic surgeon from Oldham.
Their attempts were met with significant hostility and opposition from churches and governments.
The assembly said: "Today, Robert Edwards' vision is a reality and brings joy to infertile people all over the world.”
Prof Edwards, was not available to speak to the media due to ill health.
Nobel Committee Member Goran Hansson told the conference: "I spoke to his wife, and she was delighted. She was sure he would also be delighted."
The first IVF baby, Louise Brown, now 32, said: "Its fantastic news. Me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF has been given the recognition he deserves.
"We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations to him and his family at this time."
Professor Basil Tarlatzis, past-president of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, said: "This is a well deserved honour.
"IVF has opened new avenues of hope for millions of couples throughout the world.
"Edwards and Steptoe were real pioneers, and the award of the Nobel Prize honours not just their work, but the whole field of reproductive science.
"After their breakthrough work, Robert went on to nurture the development of the assisted reproduction.
"No-one deserves this award more, and we congratulate him."
(BMcN/GK)
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