As part of the upcoming International Women's Day, we would like to introduce you to women without whom the current form of reproductive medicine would not exist. These are the women whose discoveries and practices have contributed greatly to the great advances in the journey of millions of couples towards their desired babies. Let's introduce these great women:
Rosalind Franklin
The pioneer of X-ray crystallography, which made it possible to reveal the structure of DNA. Her work is the foundation for genetic research in reproductive medicine. Although long neglected, her discovery changed the world of science. She made a significant contribution to the understanding of heredity and genetic diseases. Without her DNA scans, progress in IVF would have been slower. She became a symbol of female courage and scientific contribution.
Anne McLaren
Pioneer embryologist whose research led to the development of the IVF method. She was the first to demonstrate that an embryo can be successfully transferred into the uterus and develop into a healthy fetus. Her work has helped millions of couples achieve their dream of parenthood. She fought for the ethical use of genetics in medicine. She was also a strong advocate for women's rights in science. Her name is forever linked to breakthroughs in fertility treatment.
Louise Brown
The world's first child conceived by IVF, born in 1978. Her birth revolutionised fertility treatment. She is a symbol of hope for millions of people who long for a child. Her birth showed that science can work miracles. Louise and her family have long supported IVF research and spoken of its benefits. Her name has become synonymous with the success of assisted reproduction.
Miriam Menkin
The scientist who first achieved the fertilisation of a human egg outside the body. Her success in 1944 marked a breakthrough in the field of assisted reproduction. She excelled in perseverance and experimented despite numerous failures. Her work laid the foundation for the future method of IVF. Although she often stood in the shadow of her male colleagues, her contribution is invaluable. Miriam became an inspiration to women in science and a symbol of determination.
Virginia Apgar
Physician and author of the Apgar score, which assesses the health of newborns. Her method has helped save millions of babies around the world. The Apgar score is still used today and is a key part of obstetric care. She was one of the first women to achieve success in the field of anesthesiology and neonatology. She actively supported research into birth defects. Her name is a symbol of innovation and caring for life from the first breath.
Professor Kay Davies
A geneticist who made significant contributions to prenatal diagnosis and research into muscular dystrophies. Her work made it possible to detect genetic defects before birth. She has been involved in research into the treatment of genetic diseases and the development of gene therapy. She is an advocate of an ethical approach to scientific progress. She supports women in science and helps young women scientists to develop their careers. Her research has brought hope to many families facing genetic diseases.