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'''Robert Geoffrey Edwards''', [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] (born {{Nowrap|27 September}} 1925, [[Manchester]]) is a British [[ |
'''Robert Geoffrey Edwards''', [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] (born {{Nowrap|27 September}} 1925, [[Manchester]]) is a British [[biologist]] and pioneer in [[reproductive biology and medicine]], and [[in-vitro fertilization]] (IVF) in particular. Along with surgeon [[Patrick Steptoe]] (1913{{ndash}} 1988), Edwards successfully pioneered conception through IVF, which led to the [[childbirth|birth]] of the first [[test-tube baby]], [[Louise Joy Brown|Louise Brown]], on {{Nowrap|25 July}} 1978.<ref>{{cite news |
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==Early career== |
==Early career== |
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After finishing Manchester Central High School, he served in the British Army, and then completed his undergraduate studies in |
After finishing Manchester Central High School, he served in the British Army, and then completed his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at the [[University of Wales, Bangor]], he achieved degree in Biology with major specialization in Zoology, and minor specialization in Botany. Subsequently he studied at the Institute of Animal Genetics and Embryology, at the faculty of Biological Science at [[University of Edinburgh]]. He received his Ph.D. in 1955 and joined the [[University of Cambridge]] in 1963. |
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==Human fertilization== |
==Human fertilization== |
Revision as of 10:26, 5 October 2010
Robert G. Edwards | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | United Kingdom |
Alma mater | University of Wales, Bangor University of Edinburgh |
Known for | reproductive medicine in-vitro fertilization |
Awards | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2010) |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | University of Cambridge |
Robert Geoffrey Edwards, CBE FRS (born 27 September 1925, Manchester) is a British biologist and pioneer in reproductive biology and medicine, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in particular. Along with surgeon Patrick Steptoe (1913– 1988), Edwards successfully pioneered conception through IVF, which led to the birth of the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, on 25 July 1978.[1][2] He won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for the development of in vitro fertilization".[3]
Early career
After finishing Manchester Central High School, he served in the British Army, and then completed his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at the University of Wales, Bangor, he achieved degree in Biology with major specialization in Zoology, and minor specialization in Botany. Subsequently he studied at the Institute of Animal Genetics and Embryology, at the faculty of Biological Science at University of Edinburgh. He received his Ph.D. in 1955 and joined the University of Cambridge in 1963.
Human fertilization
In about 1960 Edwards started to study human fertilization, and he continued his work at Cambridge, laying the groundwork for his later success. In 1968 he was able to achieve fertilization of a human egg in the laboratory and started to collaborate with Patrick Steptoe, a gynecologic surgeon from Oldham. Edwards developed human culture media to allow the fertilization and early embryo culture, while Steptoe utilized laparoscopy to recover ovocytes from patients with tubal infertility. Their attempts met significant hostility and opposition.[4]
The birth of Louise Brown, the world's first 'test-tube baby', at 11:47 pm on 25 July 1978 at the Oldham General Hospital made medical history: in vitro fertilization meant a new way to help infertile couples who formerly had no possibility of having a baby.
Refinements in technology have increased pregnancy rates and it is estimated that in 2010 about 4 million children have been born by IVF.[3] Their breakthrough laid the groundwork for further innovations such as intracytoplasmatic sperm injection ICSI, embryo biopsy (PGD), and stem cell research. Edwards and Steptoe founded the Bourn Hall Clinic as a place to advance their work and train new specialists. Steptoe died in 1988. Edwards has continued a career as a scientist and an editor of medical journals.
Honours
- In 1984, Edwards was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- In 2001, he was awarded the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award by the Lasker Foundation "for the development of in vitro fertilization, a technological advance that has revolutionized the treatment of human infertility."[5]
- In 2007, he was ranked 26th in The Daily Telegraph's list of 100 greatest living geniuses.[6]
- On 4 October 2010, it was announced that Edwards had been awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the development of in-vitro fertilization.[3] The Nobel Committee praised him for advancing treatment of infertility and noted that IVF babies have similar health statuses to ordinary babies.[7] Göran K. Hansson, secretary of the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, announced the news.[7] Test-tube baby Louise Brown described the award as "fantastic news".[8] A Vatican official condemned the move as "completely out of order".[8][9]
Selected publications
- Steptoe, P. C.; Edwards, R. G. (1978). "Birth after the reimplantation of a human embryo". The Lancet. 312 (8085): 366. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(78)92957-4.
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References
- ^ "1978: First 'test tube baby' born". BBC. 1978-07-25. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
The birth of the world's first "test tube baby" has been announced in Manchester (England). Louise Brown was born shortly before midnight in Oldham and District General Hospital
- ^ Moreton, Cole (2007-01-14). "World's first test-tube baby Louise Brown has a child of her own". London: Independent. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
The 28-year-old, whose pioneering conception by in-vitro fertilisation made her famous around the world ... The fertility specialists Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards became the first to successfully carry out IVF by extracting an egg, impregnating it with sperm and planting the resulting embryo back into the mother.
- ^ a b c "The 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine - Press Release". Nobelprize.org. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ Myers, PZ (2010-10-04). "A surprising Nobel". Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ "Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research 2001". Laskerfoundation.org. 2007-09-16. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ "Top 100 living geniuses". The Daily Telegraph. 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ a b "Nobel in medicine for IVF pioneer". The Times of India. 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
- ^ a b "Vatican official criticises Nobel win for IVF pioneer". BBC News. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ "Vatican slams Nobel win for IVF doc". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2010-10-05.