Birthday Honours: Test-tube baby pioneer knighted

His work led to the birth of Louise Brown, the first "test-tube baby" in July 1978. The government's "heart tsar" Professor Roger Boyle is also knighted. The honour is also given to Dr Henry Burns, Scotland's Chief Medical Officer and Professor Kent Woods, who heads the medicines watchdog the MHRA. Professor Edwards, 85, who was awarded the Nobel prize for medicine last year, began his research into how to help people with fertility problems over 50 years ago. Other scientists had found that egg cells from rabbits could be successfully fertilised with sperm in test tubes. His work, alongside the gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe, refined the technique to allow it to be used for humans. Since Louise Brown's birth, nearly four million babies have been born following IVF treatment.

'Richly deserved'

Professor Edwards' wife Ruth said: "This honour recognises his years of devotion and dedication to alleviate human infertility despite many setbacks and much opposition. "His success in pioneering IVF has brought happiness to millions of people worldwide. "Bob is delighted to be receiving this honour, an award that all the...