Science Museum celebrates 40 years of IVF
A new exhibition will open at the Science Museum in July to mark the 40th birthday of IVF
IVF: 6 Million Babies Later will explore the remarkable story of in vitro fertilisation, or IVF, from the opposition, uncertainty and challenges faced by the early pioneers, to the latest research in reproductive science today.
The development of IVF, culminating in the birth of Louise Brown on July 25, 1978, was a defining moment for reproductive technology pioneered by British researchers. This exhibition will explore the ten years of experimentation, hundreds of failed attempts and many setbacks faced by Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, who is sometimes called the ‘forgotten IVF pioneer’, in their determined quest to treat infertility and achieve the first successful IVF birth.
Visitors will be able to see one of the ‘Oldham Notebooks’, as they are known, that record the scientific data collected by Purdy and Edwards between 1969 and 1978, as well as examples of the equipment they used.
Over ten years, the notebooks record data for 282 anonymous women, 457 IVF cycles and attempted egg harvests, 331 attempted fertilisations and 167 embryos, but only record five pregnancies and two successful births.
Also on display will be press coverage from this period, illustrating the ethical debates about IVF, and, in contrast, examples of the overwhelmingly positive world-wide media and public attention that Louise Brown’s birth attracted.
The exhibition will include the glass desiccator used by Edwards to incubate embryos and some of the personal correspondence and gifts received by Louise’s parents from the public around the world.
Curator of the exhibition, Connie Orbach, said: “The birth of Louise Brown, 40 years ago, was a defining moment in reproductive science and a testament to the dedication and drive of Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy. Through this exhibition we wanted to celebrate a technology that has impacted millions of people’s lives but also present the realities of IVF today and ongoing research in the field. I would like to thank all the organisations and individuals who have contributed to our exhibition.”
IVF: 6 Million Babies Later will move beyond the successful birth of Louise Brown, to look at the reality of fertility intervention and IVF today, as well as the future of embryo manipulation and the opportunities and ethical questions around this research that continue to be debated.
IVF is now a billion-pound, global industry that has enabled the birth of more than 6 million children worldwide.
The exhibition will explain IVF science and explore the many reasons people undertake assisted reproduction and the huge commitment involved.
Visitors will see the equipment used in an IVF lab today, as well as new ‘shoebox’ or SCS incubator equipment that has been trialed around the world and is designed to dramatically reduce the cost and improve the accessibility of IVF.
Sally Cheshire CBE, chairwoman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), said: “Louise Brown’s birth 40 years ago was a defining moment in fertility medicine thanks to the efforts of Patrick Steptoe, Bob Edwards and Jean Purdy, and today we can be proud that the UK fertility sector remains at the forefront of scientific and clinical progress in the field. As we continue to pioneer new techniques such as embryo testing to prevent serious mitochondrial disease and gene editing research to understand early human development and miscarriage, I truly believe the UK is the best place in the world for innovative treatments to be developed whilst maintaining overwhelming public trust.
“As one in six couples experience difficulty conceiving and undergo the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment, the HFEA will continue to prioritise high quality patient care and emotional support for all patients as they seek to have the families they long for.”
Aileen Feeney, chief executive of Fertility Network UK, said: “Despite 40 years of this life-changing technology, IVF’s average success rate is still only 25 per cent. It is important to remember the couples for whom IVF did not work and all those who have been denied access to fertility treatment because they live in an area where medical help has been cut or removed. What Fertility Network UK would like to see now is access to IVF based on medical need, more support for the couples with fertility problems and recognition that infertility has a massive and often life-long impact on mental health.”
The 40th birthday of IVF and Louise Brown will be celebrated at a special Science Museum Lates on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 7pm.
Free tickets are available now for a unique in-conversation event in the Science Museum IMAX Theatre with Louise Brown and Roger Gosden, a former doctoral student of IVF pioneer Robert Edwards who dedicated his career to researching female infertility.
IVF babble will mark the celebration of the 40 years since the inception of IVF with a Pineapple Ball on November 1, to be held at the Science Museum. The event is being held to raise funds for Fertility Network UK and Babble Giving, our charitable trust.
IVF: 6 Million Babies Later will be free to visit and open daily from July 5, 2018 until November 2018
Photo: c.Science Museum, Jody Kingzett.