Life as the World's First Test Tube Baby
On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown became the first ever so-called “test-tube baby,” the first human being ever to be conceived outside of the womb. Her birth was one of the biggest media stories of the 20th century, and she became famous just by being born.
Today, IVF is a common practice in most developed nations, but Brown’s birth was extremely controversial. It sparked a heated ethical debate about the ramifications of creating human life in a laboratory, but it also offered hope to millions of infertile women around the world. Today, more than 6 million people have been born through IVF, and Brown still generates headlines, drawing audiences across the globe. In this Retro Report, she reflects on how her exceptional beginning has helped to shape an otherwise very normal life.
More Like This

Trump and Biden Both Want to Repeal Section 230. Would That Wreck the Internet?
Today's heated political arguments over censorship and misinformation online are rooted in a 26-word snippet of a law that created the Internet as we know it.

Health Risks of Vaping: Lessons From the Battle With Big Tobacco
Like cigarette manufacturers decades ago, e-cigarette makers have pitched their products as fun and safe. But nobody knows what the risks are.

Working Sick During Covid: What We Learned from Swine Flu
‘Stay home if you’re sick’ is time-tested advice. But not all workers can afford it.

What the Bungled Response to HIV Can Teach Us About Dealing With Covid-19
Politics, public health and a pandemic. What we didn’t learn from HIV.