IVF Developer Who Pioneered Frozen Embryo Transfer Dies Aged 87

Online, May 27, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The pioneer of In Vitro Fertilisation, or IVF, has died at the age of 87. His work led to the birth of the first test tube baby in 1978 and has further led to the birth of more than 5 million IVF babies around the world in the past 35 years. Among the many uses and of IVF treatment is frozen embryo transfer, which enables unused embryos to be frozen until a later date. Robert Edwards, who was a Nobel Prize Winner, passed away peacefully at his home according to Cambridge University, where he was a professor.

IVF has brought hope to millions of families around the world; families that would otherwise have struggled or been incapable of having a baby through natural means. An embryo is taken from the mother before being fertilised in laboratory conditions and then replaced back into the mother's womb. The process gives a much greater chance of a successful pregnancy and it speeds up the entire fertilisation process.

There are, in fact, many different forms of IVF, as well as a range of techniques that can be used in conjunction with it. One such technique is that of Frozen Embryo Transfer . In this technique, embryos taken from the mother are cryogenically frozen in sterile laboratory conditions. At a later date, the embryo can be thawed, fertilised, and replaced in the womb. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that not only can this increase the chance of conception and give yet more mothers hope but it could lead to healthier babies too.

Robert Edwards was one of two doctors that helped make all of this possible through his pioneering work in the field. Working with Dr Patrick Steptoe, he developed the IVF process and Louise Brown became the first person to be born from a test tube when she arrived in July 1978. It is believed that some 5 million babies have been born using techniques first developed by the pair back then and the techniques are not only used in the UK but in many countries and continents.

Edwards was not without his critics, especially in the early years of his research. In fact, having successfully created an embryo in laboratory conditions he gave up his research for two years following protests and negative publicity. He used this time to determine what the best next step would be for him. Eventually, of course, he did return, and his work made it possible not only for those with infertility problems but also for single mothers and gay and lesbian parents to conceive children too.

Approximately 350,000 babies are born every year around the world with the help of some form of IVF or IVF driven treatment. It is down to the work of Robert Edwards, who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in medicine or physiology in 2010, that all of this has been possible. In 2011 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and he was described by peers as being a visionary and an inspiration to others.