European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

But it is clear that Edwards, who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren, was never motivated by the glory of success. In fact he was horrified to see himself on the front page after a reporter found out how he and Steptoe had enabled Louise Brown’s mother Lesley to get pregnant through IVF.

Rather than notoriety, Edwards' main motivation was his strong desire to help infertile couples conceive. The most important thing in life is having a child, he said. Nothing is more special than a child.

"Steptoe and I were deeply affected by the desperation felt by couples who so wanted to have children. We had a lot of critics but we fought like hell for our patients. But we had enough supporters - not many - but just enough for us to carry on our work."

Letter by our Chairman

The early days of ‘Human Reproduction - Helen K. Beard (Staff member, ESHRE journals)

Comments we received on Robert G Edwards winning the Nobel Prize 2010 for Physiology or Medicine:

Prof Martin Johnson, Professor of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Cambridge, said:
"As one of Bob's first research students, I'm naturally delighted that Bob Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize. Better late than never!

Bob is delighted, as are all his friends, family, and work colleagues at the journal office of Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The Nobel Prize is the last major award, following on from the Lasker Prize that he won about ten years ago, that enables Bob to achieve his proper recognition.

It is truly wonderful that such an engaging, warm and generous person, as well as a visionary in science, can be acknowledged in this way for all his many achievements. He was a man much ahead of his time not just in IVF, but in preimplantation genetic diagnosis, the derivation of embryonic stem cells and also for his publications and lectures on ethics in science and the role of regulation ¬ where again he was way ahead of others, because Bob has always been a very moral man, a morality based on his humanist views and his faith in humanity.

His achievements are not just over four million babies worldwide born through assisted reproductive technology, but also the way that he transformed the whole approach to research and care in reproductive medicine and gynaecology.

He is very sad that his colleagues Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy aren't alive to share this prize with him." 

Prof Johnson was a student of Prof Edwards and worked closely with him, as well as writing the recent Human Reproduction paper on the reasons behind the Medical Research Council's decision not to fund the work of Edwards and Steptoe that led to the world's first test tube baby.

Chief Executive of Bourn Hall, Mike Macnamee says of Professor Edwards: 

"Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists, his inspirational work in the early 60s led to a breakthrough that has enhanced the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Bob Edwards is held in great affection by everyone that has worked with him and was treated by him. I am really pleased that my great mentor, colleague and friend has been recognised in this way."

Steptoe and Edwards founded the world’s first IVF clinic at Bourn Hall Cambridge.

Tom Mathews, Bourn Hall Clinic’s Medical Director said:

"I remember first being introduced to Bob in 1983 when I came for an interview at Bourn Hall and being immediately impressed with his passion and enthusiasm for IVF. I also remember his insistence that every member of the team had to maintain his high standards in our clinical and scientific work.

Even in those early days he was thinking ahead of his time, talking about freezing embryos, blastocyst culture, long before people had thought these scientific techniques could be a reality.

As a person he always found time to talk to the patients about what was happening in the laboratory and rejoiced when each IVF baby was born. He took great personal pleasure in the news of each birth."

Louise and Lesley Brown:

"It’s fantastic news, me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF has been given the recognition he deserves. We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations to him and his family at this time."

The first human birth after IVF in a landmark in medical history. Professor Edwards and Prof. Steptoe led the team that confirmed the effectiveness of IVF with the birth of the first baby Louise Brown in 1978.

His wife Ruth Edwards and family:

"The family are thrilled and delighted that Professor Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine for the development of IVF.

The success of this research has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide his dedication and single minded determination despite opposition from many quarters this has led to successful application of his pioneering research."

Commenting for the International Federation of Fertility Societies, Professor Basil Tarlatzis (Thessaloniki, Greece. Professor Tarlatzis is the immediate past president of the IFFS), said:
“This is a well deserved honour. IVF has opened new avenues of hope for millions of couples throughout the world. It has also had an immense impact on our understanding of medicine, leading directly to such developments as stem cell research, PGD, and many other fields. Edwards and Steptoe were real pioneers, and the award of the Nobel Prize honours not just their work, but the whole field of reproductive science. After their breakthrough work, Robert went on to nurture the development of the assisted reproduction. We congratulate him on his award”.

Current Secretary General of the IFFS, Mr Richard Kennedy (Coventry, UK) said:
“This is a wonderful achievement, the award of the Prize to Robert Edwards is a great testimony to his pioneering work in reproductive science. The development of IVF has given hope to millions of people throughout the world”.

ASRM Congratulates IVF Pioneer and Nobel Prize Winner, Robert Edwards, statement attributable to William Gibbons, MD President, American Society for Reproductive Medicine:

"On behalf of our members and their patients, it is a thrill to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Robert Edwards for his receipt of the Nobel Prize. The development of In Vitro Fertilization truly revolutionized infertility care, allowing millions of patients to become parents. It also allowed us to futher develop our understanding of human reproduction and development, leading further advances."

"Professor Edwards and Doctor Steptoe tackled not only formidable scientific obstacles in order to make this advance, but worked in the face of significant social opposition as well. We are pleased the Nobel committee has chosen to recognize this very important work. 

Congratulations Robert! From Fertility Europe!

Statement by Barbara Collura, Executive Director, Resolve: The National U.S. Infertility Association:

“RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association congratulates Robert Edwards for winning the 2010 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Professor Edwards started working on in-vitro fertilization in the 1950’s and on July 25, 1978, the first test tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in Britain. This advancement in medicine has helped millions of women and men battling the disease of infertility become parents. RESOLVE thanks Professor Edwards for his tenacity and rigor, and those of his colleagues, in the face of difficult obstacles in reaching their goal of helping infertile couples have children.

RESOLVE is so pleased that Professor Edwards won this award on the heels of RESOLVE honoring Dr. Howard W. Jones, The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, who performed the first IVF pregnancy success in the United States. Dr. Jones was honored with RESOLVE’s most prestigious award on September 28, 2010.

Though much work still needs to be done to increase awareness about infertility, RESOLVE is thrilled that the scientific community honored Professor Edwards today.”

Dr. Alice Malenovska, National Representative of ESHRE, Czech Republic:

"I am very delighted to hear that Prof. Robert Edwards has received the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology. I think that he changed my personal profession career choice. I was just on maternity leave when I have heard about Prof. Robert Edwards and Louise Brown on the radio in the news. It made me realise that this is something I would like to do after my maternity. Now I have been working as an embryologist for 27 years. I was lucky to meet him for the first time on the second IVF congress in Budapest and later in Prague. I wish him all the best."

CONGRATULATIONS FROM INFERTILITY NETWORK UK!

Clare Lewis Jones, Chief Executive

"Robert is Patron of National Infertility Day and was our keynote speaker in 2008 along with Mike McNamee from Bourn Hall. It was a moving occasion as we all recognised that we were in the presence of a great man who had changed the world for millions of people by giving them the chance to have a baby. Robert, and the late Patrick Steptoe, have literally not just changed peoples lives but made their lives complete. How many people can say that? I am over the moon and send my love and the love and best wishes of patients across the UK."

British Fertility Society statement, Mr Tony Rutherford, Chairman of the British Fertility Society, said:

“The British Fertility Society is delighted to hear that Robert Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine 2010 for his pioneering work in the development of in-vitro fertilisation and offers him our warmest congratulations. This award represents the long overdue recognition of the vision and tenacity of a man whose research led, not only to the birth of Louise Brown and the subsequent revolution in reproductive medicine, but to many other scientific developments including embryonic stem cell research and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. His work with Patrick Steptoe represented a unique collaboration between laboratory science and clinical medicine. Together they courted controversy and overcame opposition to develop the treatment on which so many depend today."

“Bob is held in high esteem and affection by patients and colleagues alike. “Doing our best for our patients” has always been at the heart of his philosophy. At a time when some health authorities are considering cutting IVF services, it is important that we remember this legacy and strive to provide all patients in the UK, no matter where they live, with fair access to fertility treatment on the NHS, in line with the published NICE guidelines.”

Dr. Zi-Jiang Chen, Vice President for International Affairs, China Society of Reproductive Medicine:
"Big congratulations! China Society of Reproductive Medicine warmly welcomes the announcement announcement that the Cambridge reproductive biologist Robert Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. This is a proud reward for Dr. Robert Edward and a strong drive for all of us colleagues to do more in helping those famlies in need."

More comments we received from ESHRE members: 

"It is a great honour to all members of ESHRE, all people working in the field of ART and all gynaecologists,"Dr. Samir Soliman, Sudan.

"So proud of being a reproductive endocrinologist and a member of ESHRE!"Dr. Pao-Chu Shih Chen, Taiwan

"Congratulations to Mr. Edwards and I'm also proud to be a member of ESHRE,"Sau Kwan Chung, Paramedical member, Hong Kong

"I am also very proud. I consider myself a disciple of Prof. Edwards and I have learned so much from him in many conversations and during scientific reunions with him," Dr. Jose L Neyro Bilbao, Spain

"Very dear and admired Dr. Edwards,

I'm Elkin Lucena from Bogota, Colombia in South America as you know "father" of the the first Latin American "test Tube baby" (Jan.1985) thanks to your unstoppable and amazing teachings. Today is a wonderful day not only for all of us who work in this area and somehow have managed to follow your steps but for millions of couples who have been able to form families thanks to your amazing tenacity.

Congratulations is not enough to express how proud and grateful I feel knowing the world has finally recognized your work. It would be an honor for me to be by your side and your family on such memorable day."Dr. Elkin Lucena, Columbia

"Es ist einfach toll! (translated: this is just brilliant news!)Dr. Thomas Ebner, ESHRE National Representative for Austria

"It is indeed a wonderful news. I am so happy for Bob and each of us, IVF clinicians and biologists, that have received today, through Bob, the Nobel Prize!" Dr. Jacqueline Mandelbaum, France

"It is great news for every one of us. I kindly ask you to pass my congratulations and regards to reproductive biologist Robert Edwards,"Dr. Dusan Kovacevic, Serbia

"It is comforting to know that in our world there are people determined and effective as biologist Robert Edwards. Convey our sincere greetings to well-deserved award."Prof. Maria Cristina Santoro Biazotti, Brazil

"Finally! It's about time he did get the award he long deserved!!!" Dr. Maria Victoria Tan, Philippines

"It is really great news. It is a reward that he well deserved and congratulations to the whole medical community in the field of IVF." Dr. Ragaa Mansour, Egypt
 

"Fantastic news!"Lone Hummelshoj,Chief Executive of the World Endometriosis Foundation, UK

"On behalf of the Israeli CHEN - Patient Fertility Association we join the blessings to Prof. Edwards and share the blessings of Dr. Gianaroli to him." Mrs.Ofra Balaban, Chairperson, CHEN - Patient Fertility Association, Israel

"I would like to transmit my most sincere congratulations to prof. Bob Edwards for this most deserved Nobel Prize in medicine. Many have predicted this, his contributions to both human clinical medicine and embryology in general are of himalayan dimensions. The whole reproductive community is proud to have made carreers under his stimulating leadign example."Prof. Jan Gerris, Belgium

"Congratulations to Prof. Edwards; we are all sooo proud, to act in his footsteps!"Klaus Peter Zoellner, ESHRE member, Germany

I want to congratulate Prof Robert Edward for this award, a belated token in view of his present health status. His best award is in the hearts of the millions of families who have benefited from his hard work and scientific excellence while blazing the trail with Patrick Steptoe into the then so called ‘BRAVE NEW WORLD’ according to the media of the time. Those of us in the field feel honoured to have been his students directly or indirectly and this too is greater than a very belated Nobel Award. Thank you, Robert Edward for being our teacher and mentor." Dr. Daniel Imoedemhe, ESHRE member, United Kingdom

"Dear Robert,

We are absolutely happy by the fact you are honoured with this prize. Millions of children and all next generations of their offspring are a warranty of your eternal life. We are more than proud to be your colleagues, followers and friends. We wish you many many years of fruitful work and happiness.
To our pity, we did not have an opportunity to drink a glass of champagne with you yesterday evening. But we believe we will do so on September 7, 2011 in Saint-Petersburg during the 25 year celebration of our first Russian test-tube baby Elena Doncsova. God bless you." All members of the Russian Association of Human Reproduction and its President Vladislav Korsak

"I am so happy. I met Bob Edwards personally several Times at ESHRE. I was always proud of his pioneering work, his personality, his strengths.  I just was afraid that he would never get that prize. I think it took too much time for Bob receive this. I will remember him always, as I always cite him as a teacher in Medicine, and in papers, of course."Dr. Mario Sousa, ESHRE Member, Portugal

"On behalf of The Bridge Clinic, I hereby congratulate our founding member on this great achievement. We are proud to be part of this great achievement." Mr. Femi Akinrinola, Nigeria

"Dear. Dr. Robert Edward,
The Chinese Society of Reproductive Medicine warmly welcomes the announcement that the Cambridge reproductive biologist Robert Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. We are encouraged by this big piece of good news. Your research came against a backdrop of significant opposition from the medical and religious establishments. You openned another door to infertility couples. The 4.3 miliion families that benefitted from IVF technologies should express their thanks to you. We are all proud of you, the pioneer in IVF. This is a proud reward for you and will ecourage us to work even harder."Dr. Guoning Huang, General Secretary, Chinese Society of Reproductive Medicine, China


"Warm congratulations from the IVF Centre of Düsseldorf. He deserved the prize."Dr Michael C.W. Scholtes, ESHRE member, Germany

"Dear Prof. Dr. Robert Edward,
Big congratulations! This is a proud reward for Dr. Robert Edward and strong drive for all of us colleagues to do more in helping those famlies in need."Dr. Zi-Jiang Chen, Vice President for International Affairs, China Society of Reproductive Medicine
 

"I am extremely happy with the announcement that Prof Edwards has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine this year. I am privileged to know him personally since the 3rd World Congress on IVF in Helsinki, Finland. He was very kind to advise me to visit his center at Bourne Hall Clinic, which I visited in 1985 and several times after. I learnt a lot from Bob Edwards during so many scientific meetings worldwide and also during informal discussions. I would like to convey my best regards and wishes to Prof. Edwards. I pray for his long life." Dr. Sudarsan Ghosh Dastidar, Congress President, ISMAAR World Congress, India, 2011