Emma Barnett Instagram – On Friday evening I delivered a speech alongside Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, to mark the centenary of the birth of a man who changed all our lives forever: the late Robert Edwards.
Bob, as he was known, pioneered IVF medicine with Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, to treat those suffering infertility. He viewed it as a life changing disease in itself – that caused much pain and merited medicine. That is still a groundbreaking view.
I owe our two children to him and it is no exaggeration to say – the life we have. He carved a new route for us; one that very, very sadly doesn’t work for everyone – but oh the luck to be born in an era when there was a new route. Louise, who is only 47, owes her whole life to him. Her parents had been trying to have a baby for 10 years beforehand. It was a lot to get my head around that our children wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the woman sat alongside me on stage who is only 7 years older than me.
It’s thought Bob has changed the lives of more than 30 million families and counting.
It was a very special evening @cambridgeuniversity @churchillcol – alongside people who worked with Bob and his daughter.
I got the chance to thank him publicly. And learn so much more about his approach and strength in the face of horrendous disapproval of his life-creating work.
He only received the Nobel just before his death nearly 40 years on from Louise’s groundbreaking birth. That’s how long it can take for the Establishment to sometimes catch up.
I’ve dedicated this week’s newsletter to what I learned. Link in bio.
Spread the word and keep an open mind.
But mainly – thank you Bob. From all of us 🙏
#ivf #infertility #bobedwards #thankyou | Posted on 29/Sep/2025 16:50:47
