Since November 10, 1977, date of the first in vitro fertilization successful, 6 million babies were born using this technique. This method of medically assisted procreation has established itself over the years as effective treatment for many couples who suffer from infertility.
A technique that was not unanimous in 1977
But 40 years ago, British researcher Robert Edwards and his obstetrician colleague Patrick Steptoe received floods of offensive mail from people who disapproved of this pioneering technique. The same goes for the parents of little Louise Brown, who was the first “test tube baby”. On the occasion of the 40 years of the first IVF, she tells in the British press that his parents were then inundated with malicious emails.
“And today, it’s a strange feeling to see cells celebrating which divided in a petri dish and then became me!”
Since that date, medically assisted procreation techniques have progressed. And a year ago, the first baby from the DNA of two women (so designed by three parents), was born. This technique allows a mother with a genetic disease to conceive children without transmitting her disease to them.
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