Robert Edwards (physiologist)

Robert Edwards (27 September 1925 – 10 April 2013) was a British physiologist known for his pioneering work in in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Edwards, along with Patrick Steptoe, developed the IVF technique, which led to the birth of the world's first "test-tube baby", Louise Brown, in 1978. For this achievement, Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010.

Early life and education

Edwards was born in Batley, Yorkshire, England. He served in the British Army during World War II before studying biology at the University of Wales, Bangor and human genetics at the University of Edinburgh.

Career

Edwards began his career at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, where he studied the differentiation of mouse embryos. He later moved to the University of Cambridge, where he began his work on IVF.

In vitro fertilisation

Edwards and Steptoe's work on IVF faced significant opposition from both the public and the medical community. Despite this, they persisted and were able to successfully fertilise a human egg outside of the body for the first time in 1969. This led to the birth of Louise Brown in 1978, the world's first baby conceived through IVF.

Awards and honours

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Edwards received numerous other awards and honours for his work, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 2001 and the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2010.

Death

Edwards died on 10 April 2013 at the age of 87.

See also

• History of in vitro fertilisation
• Reproductive technology

External links

• Nobel Prize Biography

Robert Edwards (physiologist)

• 
  Bourn Hall, Cambridgeshire