Reviewer: Alain Touwaide, PhD (Ronin Institute)
Description: This is a collection of 30 short essays about the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) worldwide over the past half century. The book is divided in two major parts that overlap in a certain sense: most proceed by countries and 10 are devoted to technical components. However, there is no clear division between the two parts, as the "grand tour" worldwide includes, obviously, an analysis of the technical (medical) aspects of the process under consideration.
Purpose: The first baby resulting from in vitro conception was born 40 years ago. This is an anniversary volume that brings together scientists who participated in the development of IVF worldwide. As the authors explicitly state, this is not a history of medicine, but a collection of personal recollections. This is indeed what the book delivers, with short chapters (between 4 and 10 pages), black-and-white pictures, documents, and graphs. Many chapters are written in the first person, in a very direct and engaging way.
Audience: This might appeal to multiple audiences, from physicians and scientists who might remember the period covered by the book, to medical students and residents who might be interested in a career in reproductive medicine, to general readers. Though solidly grounded, the story (not the history) is narrated in a vivid way, in short chapters, easy to read and pleasant. Though not showcased, science is constantly present, as both the authors and the many contributors are the actors of the story.
Features: This is a panoramic vision of the development of IVF, divided in two major parts, the first of which is a presentation of the contribution to this history by country. Some chapters are contributions made by entire countries or groups of countries, while others are contributions by institutions within a country. This is a survey and a detailed presentation, according to the cases, of what happened in the field. The second part is more analytical and discusses medical components of IVF, including its causes (which might be male infertility), and its ethical, social, economic, and legal dimensions. Chapters are divided in sections clearly identified by their titles, and most contain photos of the authors/actors, as well as related relevant documents. They also include a list of references and selected readings. The book concludes with a useful index.
Assessment: The authors have delivered what they intended: not a history, not a compendium, and not a thorough scientific analysis of the development of IVF. It is almost an album of personal memories, first person impressions, and scientific ideas and challenges, along with anecdotes and other minor elements that usually do not make it into scholarly histories of medicine. It is a history/story, and also an introduction and invitation to research that demystifies scientific research by showing that, beyond the success and the headlines on the front pages of newspapers, there are men and women trying to solve uniquely human problems.