Watching the Netflix film Joy was an emotional experience that resonated deeply with me. The film tells the remarkable story of the scientific journey behind in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, born on July 25, 1978, at Oldham General Hospital in Manchester.
Having personally undergone multiple rounds of IVF after facing infertility following the birth of my first child, I found myself reflecting on the difficult and isolating emotions I experienced throughout the process. Despite my identity as a feminist, IVF made me feel like a failure, causing me to grapple with confusion, guilt, and loneliness.
At the heart of the film are three scientists: Dr. Bob Edwards (played by James Norton), Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), and Dr. Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy). These researchers faced fierce resistance from both society and the scientific community, including opposition from the Medical Research Council and from James Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning co-discoverer of DNA’s structure.
The film also explores the internal conflict of Jean Purdy, a devout Christian, who found herself ostracized by her mother and church community. Despite these personal and professional challenges, the trio persevered, driven by the desire to offer people struggling with infertility the option to have children.
This theme of reproductive choice resonates deeply today, as bodily autonomy and reproductive rights are increasingly under threat in many parts of the world. The story of Joy is also a powerful reminder of the marginalization of women in science. Jean Purdy’s crucial role in the development of IVF was long overlooked, despite her vital contributions to the success of the procedure. Purdy worked closely with Edwards, who later won the Nobel Prize in 2010 for this groundbreaking work, yet her name was largely omitted from the history of IVF for years.
Between 1970 and 1985, Purdy co-authored over 25 academic papers on IVF science, and her research led to the birth of more than 500 babies at their private clinic in Bourne Hall, Cambridgeshire. However, for many years, she was not even acknowledged on the plaque commemorating the IVF pioneers at Kershaw’s Cottage Hospital in Oldham. Edwards himself referred to Purdy as “indispensable” and an “equal contributor” to their success, yet it wasn’t until 2020—32 years after her death—that a new plaque was installed with Purdy’s name, finally recognizing her pivotal role in the development of IVF.
While Joy powerfully highlights the struggles and ethical dilemmas surrounding scientific progress, it also touches on the deep-seated societal fears and resistance to prioritizing women’s choices and autonomy. One aspect I felt was underrepresented in the film was the contribution of Ruth Fowler, Edwards’ wife, who was also an intellectual equal and a geneticist. Fowler worked alongside Edwards in the early development of superovulation in humans—the foundational process for IVF technology.
Fowler’s career was interrupted as she took time to raise their five daughters and support Edwards’ career while he traveled and worked long hours. Despite her significant contributions, her role in the IVF journey remains largely unacknowledged. This omission is unfortunate, as Fowler’s work on the implantation environment in embryos was critical to the development of IVF.
Nevertheless, it was a relief to see Jean Purdy finally receive the recognition she deserved in Joy. The film serves as an emotional tribute to the scientific breakthroughs that changed the lives of millions. It is also a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, conviction, and the need to acknowledge the contributions of those who have long been overlooked.
Ultimately, Joy offers a touching reminder of the transformative potential of science when combined with dedication, compassion, and the will to overcome adversity. It also calls attention to the ongoing need for equal recognition of women in science, whose contributions have often been sidelined or forgotten.
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