Louise Browne is known for being the first person in the world to be conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Though often referred to as the world’s first ‘test tube baby’, her conception actually occurred in a petri dish. When Louise Joy Browne was born at Oldham General Hospital, England in 1978, her birth made headlines around the world. Her sons Cameron (born 2006) and Aiden Patrick (born 2013) were conceived naturally.
Lesley Browne and her husband John, had been trying to conceive for several years. Lesley underwent an in vitro procedure and conceived successfully in November 1977. The procedure was developed by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010 for his work on the development of in vitro fertilization. By the time the award was made Steptoe had died and the Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously.
Louise Brown, known as the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’, was born at Oldham General Hospital, England in the year 1978 On This Day.
Oocyte with Zona pellucida