Louise Brown

First test tube baby's joy at Nobel for IVF pioneer

The world's 1st test tube baby said on Monday she was "delighted" that Robert Edwards, the pioneering scientist who made her birth possible, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Louise Brown, in a joint statement with her mother Lesley, said: "it is fantastic news, me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) 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."

Louise's birth in 1978 was the 1st to stem from the groundbreaking work of Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, a gynaecologic surgeon.
She's now a mother herself, having given birth by natural means.

Although Edwards, now 85, is too frail to give interviews, his wife Ruth said the family was "thrilled and delighted" at the honour.

"The success of this research has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide," she said.

"His dedication and single-minded determination despite opposition from many quarters has led to successful application of his pioneering research."

Edwards and Steptoe, who died in 1988, developed IVF technology in which egg cells are fertilised outside the body and implanted in the womb.

Congratulations poured in from across Britain's scientific community and from colleagues of Edwards -- although some wondered why it had taken so long for the Nobel committee to recognise his work.

Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, near Cambridge, the IVF clinic which Edwards founded, said: "Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists.

"His inspirational work in the early sixties led to a breakthrough that's enhanced the lives of millions of people worldwide."

Tom Matthews, the clinic's medical director, said that on 1st meeting Edwards in 1983 he had been "immediately impressed with his passion and enthusiasm" for his work, as well as his insistence on high standards.

"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," Matthews said.

"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."

Martin Johnson, Professor of Reproductive Sciences at the prestigious Cambridge University, where Edwards carried out his pioneering research, said: "I'm absolutely delighted. This is long overdue."

He added: "Bob's work has always been controversial but he has never shrunk from confronting that controversy.

"He was a real visionary, and always ahead of his time on so many issues. He's also an amazing human being -- warm and generous."

wilco

Wilcom the greatest band that never gets played on the radio a profile

Wilco’s mythology is that they are the greatest band that never gets played on the radio. The Chicago-based, all-American band is popular on college campuses around the US. And if you asked a room full of music critics to list the greatest American rock bands performing today, chances are a large majority of them would have Wilco on their list.

If you’ve never heard of Wilco, or can’t quite think of any of their greatest hits, you can’t blame the band, they’ve been putting out their unique brand of music for 15 years, play to sold-out audiences, have won two Grammy awards, and sold more than 4 million albums. But Wilco has always been a band just under the radar - while a favorite of critics and big on college campuses, they've never cracked Top 40 radio.

The name Wilco comes from a voice procedure ‘wilco’ meaning ‘will comply’. Wilco was formed in 1994, and they use elements of alternative and classic pop in their songs. The band was formed following the break-up of a country music group Uncle Tupelo, and the only original members left are Jeff Tweedy, lead singer and John Stirratt, bassist.

Not one for false modesty, Jeff Tweedy said, "We would be happy to be the second greatest band that does get played on the radio." And he just might get his wish - Wilco’s new album is their fastest seller ever, and the band notched its first # 1 song in early August with You Never Know.