As legal professionals in assisted reproductive technology (ART), watching Netflix's "Joy" offered us an eye-opening reminder of how far fertility treatment has come. The film follows the efforts of scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton), physician Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy), and the first IVF nurse and embryologist Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), to develop from scratch IVF which led to the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 – the world's first IVF baby.
In the 1970s, these researchers were essentially creating everything from scratch–from the basic medical equipment they used to, to the technique used to retrieve eggs and fertilize them, to determining the right hormone therapy. The movie details that their efforts were through trial and error with many failed attempts. The story is told from Jean Purdy’s perspective. One of the important roles Jean had was to guide the patient volunteers by administering injections, consoling them and providing moral support when a transfer failed or a pregnancy was lost.
The women who took part in these trials called themselves "Ovum Club" as they volunteered knowing success was unlikely. Indeed, there were years of clinic trials before the first successful pregnancy. The film spends some time about their motivations. Uniformly, they all dream of having a baby, and even the slight chance that IVF offers is enough to give them hope. Today's fertility patients have a very different experience. While IVF still can't guarantee a baby, patients now have much more information to help them make decisions about their treatment and better chances for success.
Shifting Social and Legal Landscapes
One of the surprising aspects of "Joy" is the opposition these IVF pioneers faced from the media, medical institutions, and even fellow scientists. Jean feels deeply ostracized from her family and her church, and her research is compared to recently legalized but still scandalous procedure of abortion.
Edwards and Steptoe operate on a shoe-string budget, unable to secure grants, and are portrayed as mad scientists in the media, with Edwards agreeing to a television debate against Nobel Prize winner James Watson (of DNA double-helix fame) in hopes of changing minds but finding that the minds of the audience are already made up. The women of “Ovum Club” had to remain secretive of their involvement for their own protection, fearing judgment and condemnation.
The film reminds us that many medical breakthroughs we now consider routine once faced intense social resistance and moral condemnation. The film ends by noting that over 12 million IVF babies have been born worldwide – a testament to the vision of Edwards, Steptoe, and Purdy. Today's fertility treatment continues to advance, with new technologies and techniques regularly emerging. Today's ART practices now follow written guidelines issued by the professional organization ASRM, and in third party reproduction, many surrogacy agencies and lawyers are guided by ASRM and other ethical organizations, SEEDS, and AAAA. Nevertheless, we see today that the right to pursue fertility treatment could be threatened in the future by new embryonic personhood laws or regulations on IVF like those tried in Italy.
A Personal Note
While watching "Joy," we were struck by how the core mission of fertility treatment remains unchanged: helping people fulfill their dreams of building families. This film captures both the scientific breakthrough and the deeply personal aspects of fertility treatment. When we see Jean take the Ovum Club on a retreat or console a patient who has a miscarriage or can no longer continue with treatment after aging out of eligibility, we are reminded of the role agencies and mental health professionals play in third party reproduction, whether it is boosting the morale of surrogates with retreats and gatherings, or comforting their intended parents and surrogates in the event of fetal loss.
The film also beautifully portrays the dedication of medical professionals who commit themselves to helping make parenthood possible.
For those considering fertility treatment, watching "Joy" can help put modern procedures into perspective. While today's methods are far more advanced, the film reminds us that behind every medical advancement are real people - both the professionals pushing boundaries and hopeful volunteers. It is a tough business, one where some clients experience loss, and others joy, but the joy, or the hope of joy, that motivates us to keep going.
Joy is currently streaming on Netflix. At just under two hours, it’s a compelling watch for anyone interested in the groundbreaking story behind the world's first test-tube baby.
Tsong Law Group is dedicated to guiding you through the legal aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Inspired by the advancements highlighted in Netflix's "Joy," we are here to support you in building your family dreams while addressing the changing legal landscape.
Contact us today to discuss how we can assist with your fertility journey.
Comments