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

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 book provides a full annotated transcript of the lecture, recorded reminiscences from those who attended, and an essay on the historical context. It also explores current and future implications of the advances in IVF, examining future medical and scientific possibilities and ethical issues. A foreword by Louise Brown herself places this remarkable leap of science in a personal context.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In January 1979, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe delivered a captivating lecture that unveiled the remarkable journey of clinical and scientific research that culminated in the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This meticulously researched book offers a comprehensive account, encompassing a full annotated transcript of the lecture, along with captivating recorded reminiscences from those who attended. It delves into the contemporary perspectives of this historic event, shedding light on the understanding of the time. Additionally, an insightful essay on the lecture's historical context provides fresh insights into the lives of Edwards and Steptoe, highlighting previously overlooked sources from print and broadcast media. Furthermore, the book explores the profound implications of the advancements in IVF since its inception, delving into the realm of future medical and scientific possibilities while also addressing the ethical dilemmas that may arise. A heartfelt foreword by Louise Brown herself adds a personal touch, sharing her own experiences and placing this extraordinary scientific breakthrough in the context of countless families who have since embarked on their own IVF journeys.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 240 x 163 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009211031