healthmedicinet

• Sir Robert’s work resulted in the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, born in 1978
• Since then, five million IVF babies have been born worldwide
• Was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2010 and knighted in 2011

By
Anna Hodgekiss and Rachel Reilly

PUBLISHED:

08:50 EST, 10 April 2013

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UPDATED:

11:30 EST, 10 April 2013

The IVF pioneer Professor Sir Robert Edwards has died aged 87 after a long illness.

Sir Robert, who won the Nobel prize for
medicine in 2010, started work on fertilisation in the 1950s, and the
first so-called test tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in 1978 as a
result of his landmark research.

Since then, five million IVF babies have been born worldwide.

Sir Robert co-founded the world’s first IVF clinic, Bourn Hall, with obstetrician and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe in his home town of Cambridge in 1980.

IVF pioneer Professor Sir Robert Edwards has died aged 87 after a long illness

He was knighted in 2011, a year after being awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Today, a spokesperson for Cambridge University, said: ‘It is with deep sadness that the
family announces that Professor Sir Robert Edwards, Nobel prizewinner,
scientist and co-pioneer of IVF, passed away peacefully in his sleep on
10th April 2013 after a long illness.’

The statement added that he would be ‘greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues’, adding that  ‘his work has had an immense impact throughout the world’. 

Test tube miracle Louise, 34, today paid tribute to Sir Robert, saying he had
become an honorary member of the family, attending her wedding and
visiting regularly.

She said: ‘I was really sad to hear the news today. I have always regarded Robert Edwards as like a grandfather to me.

‘His work, along with Patrick Steptoe, has brought happiness and joy to millions of people all over the world by enabling them to have children.

Pioneering: Sir Robert’s work resulted in the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, who was born on 25 July 1978, in Oldham, Greater Manchester

‘I am glad that he lived long enough to be recognised with a Nobel Prize for his work and his legacy will live on with all the IVF work being carried out throughout the world.

‘The thoughts of myself and my sister Natalie, who was also born through IVF, are with his family at this sad time.’

Sir Robert and his Cambridge University colleagues succeeded in fertilising the human egg in 1969.

This laid the foundations for the clinical application of IVF at Oldham and District General Hospital, where Louise Brown was born.

The team conducted their
research in the face of hostile opposition from church leaders and governments, and sceptisim from scientific
colleagues.

They struggled to raise funds and had
to rely on private donations, but despite these drawbacks, found a way
to fertilise human eggs outside the body.

Early efforts failed due to flawed
hormone treatments. In 1977 the pair tried a new procedure, which
avoided hormone treatments and instead relied on precise timing. On July
25 the following year, Louise Brown was born.

The work of Sir Robert (left) and Patrick Steptoe (right), has brought happiness to millions of people all over the world by enabling them to have children

A father figure: Robert became an honorary member of the Brown family according to test tube baby Louise (right) pictured here with son Cameron and late mother Lesley.

Sir Robert was born in Batley, Leeds, on September 27, 1925. He was educated at Manchester Central High School between 19361944, before serving in the Army in Palestine, Jordan and Egypt.

In 1951, he gained a Bachelor of
science degree from the University of Bangor, Wales, and went on to
obtain a doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 1955.

He leaves his wife Ruth, five daughters and 12 grandchildren.

Leading scientists today paid tribute to Sir Robert. Professor Peter Braude, Emeritus
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kings College London, said: ‘Few
biologists have so positively and practically impacted on humankind.

‘Bob’s boundless energy, his innovative ideas, and his resilience despite
the relentless criticism by naysayers, changed the lives of millions of
ordinary people who now rejoice in the gift of their own child. He
leaves the world a much better place.’

Old friends: Louise Brown and Sir Robert. After her birth in 1978, he founded the world’s first IVF clinic in 1980

Dr Thomas Mathews, Bourn Hall Clinic’s UK medical director, said Sir Robert was always ahead of his time.

‘In the early days he talked of freezing embryos, blastocyst culture,
pre-genetic diagnosis (PGD) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)
long before people had thought these scientific techniques could be a
reality.

‘When I first met Bob in 1983 I was impressed with his passion and
enthusiasm for IVF. I also remember his insistence that every member of
the team had to maintain his high standards in our clinical and
scientific work and we uphold this ethos now.’

Professor Martin Johnson, one of Sir Robert’s first graduate students at Cambridge between 1966 and 1969, said: ‘Bob Edwards was a remarkable man who changed the lives of so many people. He was not only a visionary in his science but also in his communication to the wider public about matters scientific, in which he was a great pioneer.’

Louise Brown and Sir Robert during the 25th anniversary celebrations of IVF

Anna Veiga, chairman of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, said that quite apart from his astonishing achievements, he would be remembered for his kindness: ‘We will remember him for many reasons, but mostly for his sympathetic ear, his constant encouragement and of course his remarkable achievements in human biology.

‘Without Bob’s scientific foresight and care for the infertile couple, the treatments of assisted reproduction would never have gained the universal acceptance they have today.’

Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, described Sir Robert as ‘one of our greatest scientists’: ‘His inspirational work led to a breakthrough that has enhanced the lives of millions worldwide. For me personally, Bob was a great mentor, colleague and friend. It was a privilege to work with him, and his passing is a great loss to us all.’

Professor Lisa Jardine, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) which licences IVF clinics and research, said: “It is with great sadness that we have heard about the death of Professor Sir Robert Edwards.

‘Many thousands of families have benefited directly from IVF since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978.

Sir Robert with friend and colleague Patrick Steptoe. Scientists leading tributes today said ‘few could say their work has impacted on mankind in such a meaningful way’

‘However, fertility treatment was not always as readily accepted as it is today and had it not been for Bob’s scientific innovation and his passionate commitment to ensuring the technology was made available to all those who needed it, many parents would have been left childless.

‘Few scientists can say that their work has impacted on mankind in such a meaningful way. He was an exceptional man whose compassion and tenacity will be dearly missed.”

Dr Allan Pacey, chairman of the British Fertility Society which represents IVF clinics, said: ‘This is a very sad day indeed and our thoughts are with Bob’s family and friends as well as our many colleagues who worked with him over the years.

‘He was a giant in our profession and many people, public and professionals alike, owe him a great deal.

‘His work transformed our view of infertility from something that must be endured to a potentially treatable medical condition. He will be greatly missed and his contribution to humankind is unmeasurable.

‘It is heartening to know that he received due acclaim for his work during his lifetime. The BFS considers his legacy to match that of Darwin, Curie and Einstein for their respective fields, and hopes his memory will live on for many years to come.’

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Your dedication and your work brought hope to us when we had none. Thank you so very much. May you always Rest in Peace.

–

HarleenQuinn
,

Newcastle,
10/4/2013 16:31

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Amazing man – truly someone who left the country better for him having lived.

–

Spangles
,

Cambridge,
10/4/2013 16:28

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Your comments:RIP and thank you!

–

miketheknight
,

london, United Kingdom,
10/4/2013 16:20

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Helped give a lot of people hope when otherwise they would have had none. May he rest in peace.

–

SM
,

Newcastle, United Kingdom,
10/4/2013 16:17

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