IVF and reproductive technology in the archive

Louise Brown: A glimmer of hope

In July 1978, the world witnessed a medical milestone: the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The technique, developed by Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards, and Jean Purdy, involves fertilising an egg outside the body before transferring the embryo to the uterus. The success of this process marked the beginning of a scientific and social transformation.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, well before Louise’s birth, the press began sharing concerns about IVF. UK Government records, held by The National Archives, show that this publicity alarmed the public and many people were concerned about the ethical implications of IVF. For couples experiencing infertility, however, these medical developments created hope and presented a potential path to parenthood.

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• From our collection

  MH 166/928

  Title

  Government consultation, correspondence and minutes of meetings regarding IVF

  Date

  1965–1973

At this time, advances in reproductive medicine, IVF, surrogacy, and later gene editing, created profound ethical questions such as:

• When does human life begin?
• Is it acceptable to manipulate embryos?
• Who holds parental rights?
• How should society guard against exploitation and unequal access?

Today, IVF is a well-accepted part of reproductive healthcare. In 2023 alone, one in every 32 births in the UK were the result of IVF treatment, which is equivalent to one child in every classroom. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, however, the technology was unprecedented and considered controversial.

Filming the first IVF birth

A file (catalogue reference: INF 12/13/1399) from the Central Office of Information (COI) shows the widespread public interest surrounding Louise Brown’s birth. Ministers decided to commission the COI to produce an official film. This footage would assess the baby’s condition at birth and create a historical record of IVF’s use.

Lesley Brown (Louise’s mother) also decided to sell her story exclusively to Associated Newspapers Ltd (Daily Mail) before entering Oldham General District Hospital. This meant, frustratingly for the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS), that there would be a 28–day embargo (waiting period) before any footage they recorded could be shared publicly.

On Monday 24 July, the DHSS asked the COI’s Films Division to be ready to film the birth of the world’s first IVF baby. Our records show that, throughout the day, COI stayed in touch with the Regional Health Authority and Steptoe, who confirmed that the birth would not happen before Thursday evening. On that basis, the film crew was told to stand down for 24 hours, but everything changed the next morning.

At 11:30 am on Tuesday 25 July, Tony Buckingham from the Regional Health Authority phoned with an urgent warning that the birth could happen at any moment. As a result, the COI sent the film crew racing to Oldham. Final filming rights were secured, including from Mrs Brown at 11:15 pm. Just 15 minutes later at 11:30 pm, the caesarean section began. Louise was born at 11:47 pm, weighing 5 lbs 12 oz. The footage is preserved at the British Film Institute (BFI) and made available online by Wellcome Collection.

TEST TUBE BABY 24 MINUTE NEWS ITEM

At 23.47 BST on 25 July 1978 a unique baby was born in Britain - the result of a "test-tube" fertilisation.

Louise Joy Brown, the 51b 12oz daughter of Mr and Mrs Brown of Bristol, was delivered safely by Caesarian section by Patrick Steptoe Esq FRCS FRCOG, Honarary Consultant Gynaecologist at the Oldham General Hospital near Manchester.

He was assisted by Dr John Webster MB ChB MRCOG, by Dr Finlay Campbell FSARCS DA (Anaesthetist), Theatre Sister Astel SRN and Sister Marshall SRN, Dr. Hilson MAMB BChir FRCP(L) FRCP(E) MRCS DCH (Consultant Paediatrician). Also present at the

birth was Dr Robert Edwards DSc PhD, the Cambridge physiologist whose 20 years of research led to the successful fertilisation. The historic birth was commented on by Dr Edwards as "A close collaboration between scientist and doctor".

Length: 86 1/2 ft

26.33 metres

Time:

2 mins 24 secs at 24 fps

2 mins 17 secs at 25 fps

Sales enquiries please to:

Sales Unit

Film and Television Division

Central Office of Information

Hercules Road

London SEl

Tel. 01-928 2345, Ext 227 or 224

Telex 91544 CENTROFORM LDN

• From our collection

  INF 12/1399

  Title

  Central Office of Information's notes on their film coverage of the birth of the first 'test tube' baby

  Date

  July–October 1978

Developing IVF

In the early 1970s, Edwards and Steptoe were developing techniques that would eventually lead to Louise’s birth. Records of the Medical Research Council (MRC) show that they applied for funding in May 1971 but were turned down on ethical grounds. For most of the 1970s, the MRC viewed IVF as too experimental, too risky, and too poorly supported by clinical infrastructure to justify funding. The MRC instead encouraged them to undertake studies on animals.

2. Long-term support declined

(a) Dr R.G. Edwards (University of Cambridge) and Mr P.C. Steptoe (consultant gynaecologist, Oldham): application for long-term support for studies on human reproduction (MRC 71/239).

The application was declined because of serious doubts about the ethical aspects of the proposed investigations, especially those relating to the implantation in women of oocytes fertilized in vitro which were considered premature. Dr Edwards should, however, be encouraged, without commitment, to undertake studies of the type proposed in animals.

• From our collection

  FD 13/171

  Title

  Notes from the Medical Research Council's Meeting

  Date

  May 1971

Despite the rejection, their research continued with private funding. After the safe and successful birth of the first IVF baby, Louise, the MRC became a strong supporter of IVF research. This opened the door to mainstream clinical development and a state-focused examination of the ethical issues involved.

A new technology raises new questions

The Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology, chaired by the moral philosopher Dame Mary Warnock, was established in 1982 by the DHSS. Its members included doctors, scientists, a psychologist, and faith representatives, reflecting the scientific, social, and moral issues at stake.

Together, they discussed whether IVF should be permitted, and if so, how it should be regulated. They also discussed the moral status of an embryo created in a laboratory and whether the state should regulate who could access IVF.

The fundamental moral objection to IVF was that, for the procedure to be successful, several eggs must be fertilised, meaning that some embryos are likely to be destroyed or discarded during the process. This is because not all embryos develop successfully, so multiple embryos are created to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Despite this, their final report approved the use of IVF, with some limitations, and recommended the creation of a voluntary licensing authority, an independent body that would monitor IVF clinics to ensure ethical standards were being followed.

It also concluded that commercial surrogacy was unethical, meaning the carrier of an embryo cannot be paid by the parent(s) for carrying their baby. Additionally, the committee suggested that human embryos used in research should not be kept alive in vitro beyond 14 days as this would be unethical. Although the report was signed by all members, differing views on when life begins led to expressions of dissent within the report that, they claimed, ‘reflected the range of views in society’. The report went on to lay the basis for the regulatory framework established by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

MRC/RCOG

Voluntary Licensing Authority for Human In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryology.

Guidelines for both clinical and research applications of Human In Vitro Fertilisation 1985.

The Voluntary Licensing Authority (VLA) is jointly sponsored by the Medical Research Council and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

• From our collection

  FD 7/3321

  Title

  Reports, notes and correspondence on IVF

  Date

  1986–1989

Voices from the public: Fear and hope

Letters from ordinary people, found in the archive, capture the emotional and moral intensity of the public debate around IVF. One correspondent wrote,

February 26th 1967.

The Minister of Health

Dear Sir

In view of the clear admission on ITN news this evening that experiments on human foetuses will be a necessary preliminary to the successful implantation in the womb of eggs fertilised outside the human body, would you kindly give me an answer to the following points:

a) do yon personally approve of this technique in making childbirth possible?

b) Do you personally consider that there are no ethical objections to the experimentation currently in progress?

c) Are National Health and/or University facilities being used for this research?

d) Have you power to direct that such experiments cease?

e) If so, will you provide the direction the medical profession is seeking, and order an immediate cessation of these activities?

You can no doubt deduce my own attitude.

Yours sincerely

John Wilson

(Liberal Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Hemel Hempstead)

Others wrote pleading for access to treatment, revealing the emotional toll of infertility and the personal stakes behind the debates. One couple who had been married for ten years described themselves as living ‘in a hopeless condition’ and asked to ‘participate in this service to humanity… We are willing to accept your terms of payment (whatever it may be).’

12th May ‘73

The Ministry of Health, London

Re: Test Tube Babies

Sir

Recently in one of our local papers we came across one article which has inspired us to write this letter. We are a sterile couple, married for the last ten years: in the 7th year of our married life my Mrs had to undergo an emergency operation. Right phallopean [sic] tube bursted [sic] due to advanced ectopic pregnancy (approx. 2 ½ months). While cutting and clamping the doctors thought it wise to remove cyst from left tube also, however unfortunately the second tube along with cyst was removed, leaving us completely incapable to conceive & in hopeless condition. We accepted the life as if we have lost a limb & are living the life of satisfaction. 

However when we read the report in the paper that in U.K. you are successful in planting fertilised ovum in the womb and baby could develop thereafter. 

We have thought it wise to refer this matter to you and we wonder whether we could participate in this service to humanity & be benefited with your success. We are willing to accept your terms of payment etc (whatever it may be). 

It will be in order to mention here that we are a couple of 35/33 yrs of age (husb/wife) physically fit. Sperm count: 120 million/cc & all other qualities/quantities being above normal: m.c. regular. 

If you require any certificate or any medical opinion/ questioning to be answered we will be too glad to furnish the same. We hope you will extend you helping hand before we get too old to participate. 

Sincerely thanking you [signature]. 

Patients of Patrick Steptoe also wrote in his defence. After spotting a local newspaper report in Oldham’s Evening Chronicle suggesting his work was a step toward euthanasia, one woman passionately directed her letter to Prime Minister James Callaghan:

…that a Mr. A Mcgarty was going to ask you to investigate Mr Steptoe’s work, this is why I’m writing to you put ‘our’ side of the story to you as well. I say ‘our’ because I have met so many young women in the Kershaw’s Hospital whilst we have been receiving treatment, we all love Mr Steptoe very much indeed, he is our only hope to have a child of our own, he is a kind, considerate man, and all he is trying to do is help us, we have no other hope, at all. Please, ask your wife her feelings, as a women, I’m sure she’ll understand, it’s a terrible thing to be told you can’t have…

• From our collection

  MH 156/458

  Title

  Background documents and correspondence on IVF and the birth of Louise Brown

  Date

  1973–1979

Another patient of Steptoe, describing the treatment as her only hope, wrote:

• From our collection

  FD 9/1430

  Title

  Enquiries from the public on IVF research

  Date

  1969–1973

A new world

Following the successful birth of Louise Brown, Steptoe, Edwards and Purdy worked towards founding Bourn Hall, which became the world’s first IVF clinic in 1980. Here, they worked to advance IVF techniques. Around this time, advancements were also happening across the globe, with the world’s second IVF baby being born in October 1978 in Kolkata, India.

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• From our collection

  FD 7/2308

  Title

  Files from the inquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Warnock Committee).

  Date

  1982–1984

• From our collection

  FD 7/3334

  Title

  Files related to Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge.

  Date

  1985–1989

Sadly, Jean Purdy passed away in 1985 after helping to develop and refine the laboratory techniques that made IVF possible. Patrick Steptoe died in 1988, having helped transform fertility treatment through his pioneering work in laparoscopy and IVF alongside Edwards. Their contributions established IVF as a viable medical option for overcoming infertility and offered hope to millions of couples worldwide.

Following Steptoe's death, Dame Mary Donaldson, Chair of the Voluntary Licensing Authority, described him as: 

Bourn Hall Clinic still operates today, and Steptoe, Edwards, and Purdy’s work continues to have a global impact. 

The legacy of IVF

The archival material surrounding the development of IVF is invaluable for understanding how governments and society responded to the challenges posed by new reproductive technologies. While IVF is not a definitive cure for infertility and does not always succeed, it continues to offer hope to many. This was made possible by the pioneering work of figures such as Steptoe, Edwards, and Purdy, as well as the persistent hope of the hundreds of women involved in their early experiments.

nhs.uk

Would you like to learn more about IVF?

If you would like to know more about IVF and other infertility treatments, information can be found on the NHS website.