"Girl Without a Soul": the story of Louise Joy Brown, whose birth was a challenge to society
Scientific discoveries that break the age-old foundations of society were often received with hostility. So it was in antiquity, in the Middle Ages, and, unfortunately, it happens in our time. Louise Joy Brown, the first child to be born as a result of artificial insemination, fully felt the hostility of people who accepted her birth as a challenge to nature and religion.
The British Peter and Leslie Brown were an ordinary young family. Immediately after the wedding, they decided to have a child, but fate was cruel to them. Nine years of trying to conceive a baby were unsuccessful. Leslie was given a disappointing diagnosis - infertility, which crossed out all their plans. The woman went to the best infertility specialists, underwent several courses of treatment, but it did not help.
A family tragedy caused Leslie to become depressed. She persuaded Peter to leave her and find a healthy woman. But her husband was a real man and, as best he could, supported his wife, treating her gently and carefully. He continued to assure Leslie that there was no need to despair and that everything would work out sooner or later.
During endless trips to clinics, the couple met gynecologist Patrick Steptoe and Professor Robert Edwards. Pundits have been developing the method of artificial insemination for many years and have achieved serious success in their business. But it was not easy to find those who wanted to become experimental subjects in the UK. The conservative society did not recognize the possibility of having a baby in a test tube.
Leslie and Peter, driven to desperation, agreed to experience Steptoe and Edwards' discovery for themselves. Scientists decided to try their method, although they were not sure of success. They did not tell the couple that 50 unofficial attempts had already been made to conceive. Of these, 49 failed, and one ended in an ectopic pregnancy.
In the fall of 1977, Leslie's eggs were taken, and Peter's sperm. Biological materials were combined in a test tube and the embryo was implanted into the uterus. What happened can only be called a miracle. The attempt was successful the first time and the woman became pregnant! Although the experiment took place in secrecy, information about the conception was leaked to the press. Journalists who sensed the sensation attacked the Browns and scientists.
To get rid of annoying attention, Leslie had to go to the clinic under a false name. Childbirth also took place in secret. Peter certainly wanted to be present during the birth of the child. He had to leave the maternity ward under the sights of paparazzi cameras, and then secretly return through the back door.
The girl, who received the name Louise Joy, was born on the night of July 25, 1978. In order not to risk the health of the child and mother, I had to do a caesarean section. The baby was absolutely healthy and the happiness of the parents knew no bounds. By the way, the girl's middle name, Joy (joy), is translated from English as "joy."
It was not possible to hide the birth of a miracle child from society. Newspaper editorials were full of articles with a photograph of Louise, her parents and scientists. British society was divided into two camps. Some celebrated the triumph of science and sent cards and gifts to the family. But the other half took the news as a violation of God's laws and a crime against the laws of nature.
Some ill-wishers were ready for the lowest deeds. One day, the Browns received a package containing a broken test tube with a fake embryo covered in blood. The most aggressive attacks could not destroy the happiness of the family. The haters calmed down a little when Cardinal Albino Luciani addressed the British with a speech. A high clergyman said that the birth of Louise should be taken for granted. The child and his parents have the right to a peaceful and happy life. Moreover, they simply did not have other ways to give birth to a child.
Louise grew up as the most ordinary child, kind and inquisitive. Parents carefully protected her from attacks from outside, but they failed to completely protect the girl from stupidity. When Louise Joy went to school, she had to deal with ridicule and insults. She was teased as a "test-tube baby", a "robot" and a "girl without a soul".
The girl was ready for such an attitude and simply did not react to the negative. She was destined to become the first, and she understood this. By this time, there were already more than 30 children conceived with the help of IVF. Soon Louise had a sister, who became the fortieth "wonder child".
Now Louise Joy Brown is 45 years old, she is married and has two sons. She gave birth to children without the help of technology. Louise willingly communicates with journalists, answering any of their questions. In one of the interviews, the woman said:
Louise, whose childhood was not easy, loves and understands children. Therefore, she chose the profession of a nanny. Although many years have passed since her birth and IVF is no longer considered a miracle, attention to Miss Brown in society is still great. As for her "second parents", the biologists Steptoe and Edwards, recognition came to them only after 32 years. Edwards even received the Nobel Prize for his contribution to the fight against infertility. But he personally could not attend the ceremony in 2010, because he was too old and did not leave the house.
Although almost half a century has passed since the birth of Louise, disputes about the moral side of IVF do not subside. Now millions of test-tube babies live in the world and the technique is recognized in most countries, but it will most likely always have opponents.