The Forgotten Women Who Fought For IVF Development

Less than half a century ago, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was still in its experimental stages, with researchers, including pioneering women, diligently working to develop a procedure that would eventually become a common solution for infertility. IVF involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body and then transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus. Recently, in February 2024, IVF garnered attention when the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling categorized frozen embryos created through IVF as children under state law, prompting a temporary halt in IVF procedures until legal protections were established in March. This incident has highlighted the profound impact of IVF and highlighted the contributions of the women who played key roles in its development.

From Miriam Menkin in the 1930s to Georgeanna Seegar Jones in the late 1970s and 1980s, women scientists have been pivotal figures in advancing IVF technology. Margaret Marsh, a scholar specializing in reproductive medicine and reproductive sexuality at Rutgers University, and Dr. Wanda Ronner, a clinical obstetrics and gynecology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, share insights for the same with TODAY.com.

1. Miriam Menkin

Miriam Menkin collaborated with Harvard gynecologist Dr. John Rock from the late 1930s to the 1950s, during which they deciphered the process of fertilization in women, a previously unknown phenomenon. Rock, along with embryologist Arthur Hertig, conducted pioneering studies on in vitro fertilization (IVF), determining the timing of human embryo formation during conception. Menkin played a crucial role in Rock's research, serving as his laboratory technician. Her responsibilities included retrieving eggs from women undergoing surgical procedures and attempting to fertilize them in the lab using donated sperm.

Despite the challenges, Menkin's dedication resulted in the successful fertilization of an egg outside the body in 1944, marking a significant milestone in reproductive science. Menkin's indispensable contributions to Rock's work highlight the vital role of women scientists, many of whom remain unsung heroes in history. Despite lacking a doctorate degree, Menkin's groundbreaking achievements were recognized and acknowledged by Rock, who ensured she was listed as the first author on their research article, a rare recognition for women in science during that era.

2. Jean Purdy

Following the publication of Rock and Menkin's article in Science, a pivotal IVF experiment in 1944, British scientists Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe embarked on their own journey to utilize IVF for conception. Jean Purdy, Edwards' dedicated research assistant and technician, emerged as a key figure in this endeavor around 1968. Trained as a nurse, Purdy took it upon herself to learn embryology while collaborating with the duo. By 1973, their combined efforts bore fruit as Purdy took on the challenging task of fertilizing embryos by combining eggs and sperm.

Despite initial setbacks, their persistence paid off when, in 1978, Louise Brown became the first IVF-conceived baby in the world. Yet, skepticism lingered in England regarding IVF's feasibility and its potential impact on offspring. Undeterred, the trio, including Purdy, established an IVF clinic in 1980. 

Tragically, Purdy succumbed to melanoma before her 40th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering contributions to IVF. While Edwards received the Nobel Prize in 2010 for his role in IVF development, Purdy's significant contributions often went unrecognized. Marsh emphasizes Purdy's indispensable role, echoing Edwards and Steptoe's acknowledgment of her as an equal partner in their groundbreaking work.

3. Georgeanna Jones

Georgeanna Jones, an important figure in the field of reproductive endocrinology, achieved her first significant breakthrough while studying medicine and went on to become a renowned figure in the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States, as noted by Marsh. Collaborating closely with her husband, Howard Jones, at Johns Hopkins University, the couple worked tirelessly together, even sharing an office and desk on occasion, until their retirement at the age of 65. Undeterred by this transition, they were offered positions at the newly established Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, where they continued their groundbreaking work. Remarkably, on the very day they embarked on their new roles, the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born. Marsh highlights the Joneses' mentorship of Robert Edwards, a British biologist involved in IVF research in the UK.

Despite facing opposition from anti-abortion groups concerned with the ethics of IVF, the couple, supported by their medical institution, established an IVF clinic. Their perseverance culminated in the birth of the first American IVF baby, Elizabeth Carr, on December 28, 1981. Marsh underscores Jones's pivotal role as one of the few women pioneers in reproductive endocrinology and IVF during this era.

Additionally, he acknowledges the contributions of other female IVF pioneers, such as Anne Colston Wentz and PonJola Coney, who made significant strides in the field during the 1980s. Wentz led a successful IVF program at Vanderbilt University, while Coney, one of the few Black American IVF pioneers, directed Oklahoma's first IVF program at the University of Oklahoma, according to Ronner and Marsh's research.

4. Elizabeth Carr

Elizabeth Carr made history as the first baby born via IVF in the United States. Now a 42-year-old patient advocate residing in Massachusetts, she has been familiar with IVF for as long as she can remember, even attending her first press conference at just three days old. Carr's journey began when her mother, who had experienced three ectopic pregnancies, was handed a paper about IVF by her OBGYN. Despite the procedure being experimental and primarily conducted in England at the time, Carr's parents decided to pursue it as a last hope for having a child. Born in December 1981 amid controversy, Carr's arrival was marked by heightened security due to the contentious nature of IVF.

Throughout her childhood, she attended IVF baby reunions, witnessing the growing number of individuals conceived through assisted reproductive technology. By 2021, over 86,000 infants, comprising 2.3% of all U.S. births, were conceived through ART. Despite the advancements, challenges persist, as evidenced by recent legal battles affecting IVF access.

Carr, a mother herself, advocates for greater protection and accessibility of IVF, recognising its broader implications beyond infertility, including for same-sex couples, cancer patients, and those seeking genetic testing. She remains committed to ensuring that IVF remains a viable option for families nationwide, with improved insurance coverage and healthcare access.

As we celebrate the achievements of these pioneering women, it is essential to acknowledge their role in shaping the future of reproductive healthcare and advocate for greater recognition of their contributions. Through their efforts, IVF continues to serve as a beacon of hope, empowerment, and inclusivity for all those on the journey to parenthood.