Product Description

For centuries, the prospect of conceiving a human being in a laboratory seemed ripped from the pages of science fiction. Then, in 1978, everything changed. This documentary tells the story of doctors, researchers, and hopeful couples who pushed the limits of science and triggered a technological revolution in human reproduction. In so doing, they landed at the center of a controversy whose reverberations continue to this day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51525 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-11-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Customer Reviews

Informative!
I had no knowledge whatsoever about the history of IVF, so I couldn't be critical of this documentary generally. I am glad that the documentary makers decided that IVF need ed to be a part of the "American Experience."

From one baby in the late 1970s, now 2.5 million people worldwide owe their lives to IVF. Because this procedure lacks controversy now, to some, this work may seem dated. However, this settled debate may remind many nowadays of the controversy over stem cell research. This documentary suggests that the US and Britain were in a race to see who could successfully perform IVF first; this reminded me of the race in AIDS research between the US and France, as described in "And the Band Played On."

This film repeatedly spoke about couples who wanted children, but oftentimes, individuals were interviewed separately. I wonder if many of the interviewed couples have divorced since they requested IVF.

I guess I have one critique. Issues of class were not brought up. I hear IVF is still INCREDIBLY expensive. I assume that only rich couples have it as an option though the procedure is available. If the documentary makers wanted to be thorough, they would have brought this up.