Netflix's Joy Tells The Moving Story Behind 'World's First Test Tube Baby'

Louise Joy Brown, born in 1978, made history as the world’s first "test-tube baby," a groundbreaking moment that forever changed the course of human fertility treatments. Her birth was the result of over a decade of dedicated work by a team of scientists, surgeons, and embryologists who pioneered the technique of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Netflix's upcoming film Joy tells the story of these groundbreaking efforts, led by nurse and embryologist Jean Purdy.

Netflix's 'Joy' Set To Explore the Birth Of The First Test-Tube Baby & The Pioneers Behind It

The film follows the journey of Jean Purdy, portrayed by Thomasin McKenzie, as she joins forces with scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy). Together, they worked tirelessly to overcome infertility by unlocking the possibilities of IVF. The movie highlights Jean’s critical role in the research team, making her one of the first female voices in the field of reproductive science.

The trailer for Joy offers a glimpse into the struggles and victories of this revolutionary trio. Jean’s words resonate throughout the story, "Women presume we can have children. There are biological and social expectations. Nothing can make that absence worse. But we have the possibility of making it better." Take a look at the trailer here.

All About Louise Joy Brown

Louise Joy Brown, born on July 25, 1978, in England, became a symbol of one of the most groundbreaking medical achievements of the 20th century as the world’s first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). 

Louise's parents, Lesley and John Brown, had been trying to conceive naturally for nine years but were met with challenges due to Lesley’s blocked fallopian tubes. This medical obstacle led them to undergo IVF, a procedure that had been recently pioneered in Britain by a team of doctors, including Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe. The Browns' successful conception led to Louise’s birth, which was celebrated globally as a medical milestone.

The success of IVF didn't end with Louise. Four years later, her younger sister, Natalie Brown, was also conceived through IVF, becoming the world's 40th "test-tube baby." Interestingly, Natalie achieved another first in history by becoming the first IVF baby to give birth naturally.

In 2004, Louise married Wesley Mullinder, a nightclub doorman. In a significant moment, Robert Edwards, the pioneer of IVF, attended her wedding. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, conceived naturally, on December 20, 2006, proving that even IVF-conceived individuals could have children without medical intervention.

Louise Brown's life story has been chronicled in her memoir, Louise Brown: My Life As the World's First Test-Tube Baby, which she co-authored with Martin Powell in 2015. Her personal journey highlights not only the incredible advancements in science but also her role as a living testament to the possibilities IVF unlocked for families around the world.