Presenting the First Test-Tube Baby
The Edwards and Steptoe Lecture of 1979

Presenting for the first time, in original detail, Drs Edwards and Steptoe's breakthroughs leading to the birth of Louise Brown.

Fiona Kisby Littleton (Author), Susan Bewley (Author), James Owen Drife (Author)

9781009211031, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 March 2023

160 pages
24 x 16.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.55 kg

'What an incredible read! A page-turner full of fascination if not suspense, providing a wonderful and comprehensive account of the genesis of IVF which has transformed the lives of many millions in ways that cannot be over-exaggerated, and is succinctly summed up in Louise Brown's introduction: 'This publication provides an important record for the future, capturing aspects of the early days of IVF that might otherwise be lost forever as time moves on.' This is a truly wonderful record and one that should be read by everyone in the field of reproductive medicine.' Adam Balen, MBBS, M.D., DSc, FRCOG; Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Former Chair of the British Fertility Society and Council member of the RCOG

In January 1979, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe delivered a lecture detailing the ten-year clinical and scientific research programme that led to the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby born utilising IVF. This thoroughly-researched book provides both a full annotated transcript of the lecture as well as recorded reminiscences from those who attended, detailing the contemporary understandings of the event. An essay on the lecture's historical context adds fresh insight into the biographies of Edwards and Steptoe and highlights sources from print and broadcast media that have received scant attention in earlier publications. Current and future implications of the advances in IVF since the first procedure are also explored, examining future medical and scientific possibilities as well as ethical issues that may arise. A foreword by Louise Brown herself places this remarkable leap of science in a personal context, one that so many families have since experienced themselves.

1. Introduction: presenting the first test-tube baby Fiona Kisby Littleton, Susan Bewley and James Owen Drife
2. From Oldham and Cambridge to the rest of the world: the contexts and contents of the lecture, 1978–80 Fiona Kisby Littleton
3. The lecture, 1979: pregnancies following implantation of human embryos grown in culture Fiona Kisby Littleton and Susan Bewley
4. The professional reminiscence, 2019: retired fellows look back Fiona Kisby Littleton, Susan Bewley and James Owen Drife
5. The local reminiscence: an Oldham journalist remembers Janice Barker
6. The legacy: 2019 and beyond Peter Braude and Martin Johnson.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX], Gynaecology & obstetrics [MJT], Reproductive medicine [MFKC], History of medicine [MBX]