Netflix Happiness
focused on the painstaking work involved in developing IVF and how fundamental Jean Purdy’s contribution was, but little was shared about Purdy’s future after the birth of Louise Joy Brown. By adopting Jean’s perspective, Happiness was clear in her intention to give credit back to Jean Purdy for the development of in vitro fertilization along with Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. It did so by simultaneously showing Jean’s deep-rooted involvement in the project and focusing on her personal life, especially how the continuation of her research effectively led to her being ostracized by her community because her work was seen as immoral.
HappinessThe resolve to let Jean Purdy be remembered for developing IVF as much as Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe matched Edwards’ efforts in life, as he campaigned tirelessly to let her be publicly recognized for the discovery. While Steptoe and Edwards’ contributions were once honored with a blue plaque outside Kershaw Hospital, Purdy’s name was not added to the plaque until 2015. While it may have taken longer for the general public to celebrate Purdy for the role she played, his work spoke for itself, both in his scientific publications and in the babies whose conception Purdy’s work made possible.
Jean Purdy co-founded the Bourn Hall clinic with Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards in 1980
Bourn Hall was the world’s first IVF clinic
Happiness reveals at the end how two babies were born as a result of Steptoe, Edwards and Purdy’s research, Louise in 1978 and Alastair in 1979. However, Jean Purdy has helped over 500 babies be conceived through IVF treatment (via Bourn Hall) after the birth of Louise and Alastair. The success of Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy’s research led them to continue working together, but the NHS refused to support the service. This led them to look for a way to create a private clinic in Cambridge. Purdy explored the Jacobean mansion that eventually became the world’s first IVF clinicBourn Hall.
Purdy has led Bourn Hall as technical director since 1980, helping it launch its fertility services.
HappinessThe true story shared at the end of the film focused on the lack of recognition for Purdy’s work, but her focus on IVF didn’t stop after the research. In fact, Purdy led Bourn Hall as technical director since 1980, helping it launch its fertility services and “transform science into robust medical treatment.” Purdy co-authored 26 academic articles on in vitro fertilization between 1970 and 1985making her contributions to the field always on display, despite not being actively celebrated.
Jean Purdy died in 1985, aged 39
Purdy continued to work at Bourn Hall until his death
Netflix based on a true story film Happiness yet revealed Jean Purdy died young, aged 39. Diagnosed with malignant melanoma, Purdy continued to work throughout her illness at Bourn Hallwhere a room was provided so that she could still be part of the team and receive guests, until her death on March 16, 1985. An estimated 12 million babies have been born thanks to in vitro fertilization since the research detailed in Happinessmaking Purdy’s lasting legacy far beyond his academic achievements.
Happiness is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Bourn Hall