It is amazing to know that there are people who were born into the world unnaturally. It may seem odd, but there are people who were once a test tube baby. The term test tube baby came from the late Dr. Edwin Carl Wood. Dr. Wood played an important role in the process of developing and commercializing the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique which has molded society into accepting the process of a scientifically fabricated child. Without Dr. Wood’s IVF research and techniques, there would not be any hope for couples who cannot have children on their own. There would not be any babies for same sex couples or for women who have surpassed their age of healthy egg ovulation. It is said that there is always adoption, but …show more content…
His research was conducted from the 1960’s – 1980’s, and he practiced as an OB/GYN in his later years. He was an Australian M.D. who specialized in obstetrics and gynecology and was one of the first to pioneer the process of IVF. Wood had an interest in making gynecologic procedures more pleasant for women who had endured difficulties with their reproductive systems. Wood had studied gynecological medicine at Melbourne University in Australia. He also conducted research in London and the U.S. He invented the method of using frozen embryos and also pioneered the use of fertility drugs for the reproduction of multiple eggs, which increases the success rate in IVF pregnancy. He also made other major contributions to the medical field of gynecology with research involving fetal monitoring, psychosocial obstetrics, uterine contractibility, and psychological effects of hysterectomies. He also contributed clinics that helped females with endometriosis and contraception. Dr. Wood even helped in advancing surgical techniques that involved the female reproductive …show more content…
Wood did not get the recognition for inventing IVF, he contributed to the research that led to the invention of IVF by Dr. Robert Edwards. Dr. Edwin Carl Wood was named ‘‘the Father of IVF’’ for pioneering the use of frozen embryos (Kovacs & Leeton, 2011). Wood’s contribution of the cryopreservation method has revolutionized the success rate of IVF. This has altered medical history by providing future gynecologists and obstetricians the opportunity to preserve gametes and embryos of patients. Couples that were sterile (infertile) or have had trouble conceiving now have more options to choose from when considering children. Patients can now do advance procedures and store their embryos or gametes for future use. On a personal note, some close friends of mine have chosen the process of IVF after years of being unable to conceive. She endured her series of hormonal shots and had six eggs extracted for insemination. After the insemination process, she was left with only one healthy embryo. While waiting for a surrogate, her only embryo is in fact frozen. If Dr. Wood’s method of cryopreservation had not been invented, my friends would have no chance at having a child. Her process is still ongoing, but her family and friends remain