ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Dr. Edwards realized from the onset that IVF research would raise many important ethical concerns that had to be addressed. He wrote, together with the lawyer David Sharpe, a visionary key paper that initiated, a debate on many of the complicated issues related to reproductive medicine, that lay ahead.

They argued that research on human germ cells and embryos should be conducted under strict ethical guidelines.

Dr. Edwards himself acted forcefully on these issues, as he ensured that an Ethics Committee for IVF was created at Bourn Hall Clinic.

Despite Dr. Edwards' persistent attention to ethical and safety questions, his work on IVF initially met with strong opposition from religious leaders and others who felt the technique was morally wrong.

Dr. Edwards not only was able to respond to the continued criticism of IVF, but he also remained very persistent and unperturbed in fulfilling his scientific vision.

Today, 2-3 per cent of all newborns in many countries are conceived with the help of IVF and many individuals that turn to an infertility clinic can be helped.

IVF has also opened up new ways to treat many forms of male infertility.

The development of IVF, recognised by this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, has touched the life of millions of infertile people, giving them an opportunity to have children.