When Louise Brown entered the world in 1978, her birth changed the course of history. After more than a decade of research and testing, she became the first-ever human born through in vitro fertilization, IVF.
Her story is going to be told in Joy: Netflix's upcoming IVF drama. Here's everything you need to know.
How old is Louise Brown?
Born on the 25th July 1978, Louise Brown is currently 46 years old. Her birth was the result of years of scientific research, led by British doctors Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. Her sister, Natalie Brown, arrived 4 years later, also through IVF.
The duo, Steptoe and Edwards, had been working for over a decade to perfect a method of fertilising an egg outside the human body. Their goal was to help couples who could not conceive naturally due to blocked fallopian tubes, male infertility, or other reproductive challenges.
In IVF, eggs are retrieved from a woman's ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory dish, and then implanted in the woman's uterus. The process involves careful timing and monitoring to ensure the highest chance of success. While IVF had been attempted with animals before, Louise Brown's birth was the first successful human case, marking the beginning of a new era in reproductive medicine.
Her birth marked a monumental achievement, changing the future of fertility treatment and offering hope to millions of couples struggling with infertility. However, her birth was also met with controversy. While it represented a breakthrough in science and medicine, it also sparked ethical and religious debates. Critics questioned the morality of IVF, fearing it could lead to the manipulation of human life. Supporters, however, hailed it as a triumph that would allow people struggling with infertility to fulfil their dreams of parenthood.
Where was Louise Brown born?
Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, was born in Lancashire at Oldham General Hospital via C-section, to her parents Lesley and John Brown. She weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces.
Where is Louise Brown today?
Louise lives a "normal life" and works for a freight company in Bristol. She lives with her husband and two sons in south-west England.
Is there a film about Louise Brown, the test-tube baby?
Yes, the upcoming film Joy, on Netflix, will explore the story behind the birth of the first-ever IVF baby (Louise Brown). It follows the three stalwarts' - Jean Purdy (Thomasin Mckenzie), Robert Edwards (James Norton) and Patrick Steptoe's (Bill Nighy) - journey of hard work and scientific discovery.
Does Louise Brown have social media?
Yes, Louise Brown has Instagram, under the username @louisejoybrown.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.