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2 - From Oldham and Cambridge to the Rest of the World

The Contexts and Contents of the Lecture, 1978–1980

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2023

Fiona Kisby Littleton ,
Susan Bewley  and
James Owen Drife
By
Fiona Kisby Littleton
Fiona Kisby Littleton
Affiliation:
University College London Institute of Education
Susan Bewley
Affiliation:
Emeritus, King's College London
James Owen Drife
Affiliation:
Emeritus, University of Leeds
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Summary

This chapter outlines the background to the lecture by Edwards and Steptoe in January 1979. Littleton brings the Health Service and the 1970s research programme to life in the context of a town in Northern England. She describes the initial and subsequent coverage of the first ‘test-tube baby’ in print and broadcast media and sheds new light on the activities of Edwards and Steptoe in the period between the ending of their original Oldham research programme and the opening of their new clinic, Bourn Hall in Cambridgeshire, in autumn 1980 up until circa 1982. New material is included in the photographs and screengrabs taken from video of relevant archival material. New insights into the key characters and the reaction to their work are presented.

Keywords

IVFtest-tube babyLouise BrownhistoryRobert EdwardsPatrick SteptoeRCOGmedia controversy
Type
Chapter
Information
Presenting the First Test-Tube Baby
The Edwards and Steptoe Lecture of 1979
 , pp. 4 - 47
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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