An in vitro fertilization (IVF) pioneer in the United Kingdom (UK), who helped create the world’s first “test-tube baby,” has been exposed for using the sperm of scientists in his lab to impregnate women without their knowledge and failing to keep records.
Patrick Steptoe is known as the doctor behind Louise Joy Brown’s conception, the first person successfully conceived and born through IVF. Roy Hollihead ran a pathology lab at the same hospital where Steptoe had his fertility clinic, and according to the Daily Mail, Steptoe used the sperm of his scientists to impregnate women, including Hollihead’s.
Hollihead, now 84, allegedly did not know his sperm had been used to create children, and found out only after two of his children, David Gertler and Roz Snyder, made the discovery through online DNA tests. Snyder contacted Hollihead after the test revealed he was either her father or her son, with Gertler and another man being her half-brothers. He immediately responded saying that it was entirely possible that he was Snyder’s father.
“I used to work with Dr Steptoe up to and after the birth of Louise Brown [the] first test tube baby,” he said. “He arranged clinics on Saturday privately, I think to help with fertility. He organised a liquid nitrogen sperm bank which was kept in the laboratory. He used sperm from lab staff, medical students and doctors – only once each I think! No records of any [babies] were kept. Not necessary in those days! If your mother attended there then this is possible.”
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Snyder responded by saying her parents likely didn’t know whose sperm Steptoe was using, saying, “I’m sure Dr Steptoe used your sperm without my parents’ knowledge, which is totally incomprehensible and very upsetting.”
Hollihead admitted, “I certainly never thought of the consequences. Lots of young men [provided] samples for his use.”
Steptoe died in 1988, and the NHS Trust has not been able to locate any notes linked to his work. Steptoe won a Nobel Prize for his role in Louise Brown’s IVF conception, and he was recently portrayed by actor Bill Nighy in the movie “Joy.” Yet these accolades are little comfort to Snyder, who said she feels as though her life has been a lie.
“I couldn’t speak. It was a shock. My dad is still my dad, but now I know it’s all a lie,” she said. “If he hadn’t done what he had done I wouldn’t be here, my children wouldn’t be here. But it’s how he got there is wrong and the seeming dishonesty surrounding it all.”
Tell President Trump, RFK, Jr., Elon, and Vivek:
Stop killing America’s future. Defund Planned Parenthood NOW!
