Comments on: Robert Edwards, developed In-vitro Fertilization, wins Nobel Prize in Medicine

By: Ana

Ana — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:15:23 +0000

Thanks. Maybe my question is most valid with regard to investment opportunities. At least until gene therapy comes online.

By: twitterholic

twitterholic — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:52:13 +0000

Thanks for bloging about this. Robert Edwards is really such an important figure in Medicine, and what he did revolutionized and changed the way we looked at science. Something else that you might find interesting in return is this video I saw on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFuqwOKc2.

By: twitterholic

twitterholic — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:50:27 +0000

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:50:39 +0000

Apparently, sometimes the sperm often does get it’s heat attached to the ovum correctly, but not always. Then ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is tried.

I’m still answering your question like an anthropologist … first I problematize the context, while implying that it may be the fault of the patriarchy. Then, I explain that the question is not always valid.

But still, yes, they do this, and I don’t know why they have to.

It is the case that some infertility is caused by the sperm not being able to head-up to the ovum in vivo, thus the problem would persist in vitro. (Still, not answering the questions).

The reason that the sperm can’t do their thing if often because of a developmental thing with the sperm so their heads are the wrong shape. The causes are mysterious.

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:22:54 +0000

Yes, of course – female choice. 😉 But my question remains… I’ll try to find an answer and report back.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:18:33 +0000

Ana: I’m not sure, but the sperm do not really find and penetrate the egg as much as the egg directs the sperm to where it wants it then picks which sperm to let in. So perhaps the in vitro ovum is not doing that for some reason.

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:53:41 +0000

I could never understand the whole piercing of the egg with a needle full of sperm thing. Why not just let the little guys swim around in the dish and let them use their enzymes for entry like in real life? Isn’t that an important process?

By: Jim Thomerson

Jim Thomerson — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:27:35 +0000

This is interesting. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101003205930.htm

By: Pierce R. Butler

Pierce R. Butler — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:40:05 +0000

I can’t wait to hear the Vatican’s “pro-life” reaction…

By: Paul Browne

Paul Browne — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:02:06 +0000

It’s a well earned Nobel prize, IVF is a treatment that has brought joy to millions of parents around the world.

My onlyn regret is that other scientists whose work made such a crucial contribution to the development of IVF, particularly Patrick Steptoe, Min Chueh Chang, and Gregory Pincus, died before they could share in this award.

This does not however diminish Bob Edwards’ achievement, he palyed a decisive role in making IVF possible.

Well done Professor Edwards!