ALMOST five decades on from her birth making global headlines, Louise Brown is used to strangers telling her: “Thank you.” But the 46-year-old bakery worker, who was the world’s first IVF baby, hopes a new film will shed deserved praise on the British pioneers who developed the “miracle technique”, despite huge controversy at the time. 6 Medical miracle and the world's first IVF baby Louise Brown today Credit: Craig Gibson 6 Robert Edwards, Jean Purdy and Patrick Steptoe with baby Louise Credit: Hulton Archive - Getty 6 Louise is all smiles with her parents later in life Credit: MMP Cambridge Netflix drama Joy — which is named after Louise’s middle name — reveals the sacrifices made by determined trio Robert Edwards, Jean Purdy and Patrick Steptoe.
Scientist Robert was forced to work 170 miles from his family home because the medical establishment would not fund his research. Embryology nurse Jean was in conflict with her religious mother. And gynaecologist surgeon Patrick had to put off his retirement dreams.
READ MORE ON IVF FERTILITY SHOCK Trans men & lesbians to get IVF priority over straight couples in NHS plan DEAR DEIDRE My married lover's wife is planning to dump their IVF baby on me Even worse, “Frankenbabies” was daubed on their clinic wall, they received death threats, and vile messages were sent to newborn Louise. Perfect candidate Sceptics demanded proof that Louise’s mum Lesley really was infertile and claimed the baby would be abno.
