In IVF, an unrecognised contributor gets the spotlight: Jean Purdy

Jean Purdy, a clinical embryologist, played a significant role in the development of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Born in Cambridge, she worked alongside Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe in the Physiological Laboratory. Initially, her contributions were largely unrecognized, but over time, her importance became evident. It was Purdy who meticulously managed the laboratory, prepared and tested culture media, recorded data, and recognised the formation of the early human blastocyst.

This milestone, occurring five or six days after sperm fertilisation, was crucial for the successful implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Between 1970 and 1985, Purdy co-authored 26 academic papers with Edwards and others, establishing IVF as a more reliable procedure. After NHS funding for IVF was withdrawn, she established the world’s first dedicated IVF clinic, Bourn Hall Clinic near Cambridge.

Despite her critical role, Purdy’s contributions were often minimized due to sexism, a phenomenon known as the Matilda Effect. Even after her death, her name was omitted from a commemorative plaque at Oldham Hospital, despite team members acknowledging her importance. It wasn't until recent research by Martin H. Johnson and Kay Elder that her contributions began to receive the recognition they deserved.