Anne McLaren was a staunch supporter and friend of the Progress Educational Trust from its inception shortly after the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill was enacted by the UK Parliament in 1990.
Prior to this, Progress had been a cross party lobbying group where Anne was a major contributor to the provision of scientific and medical information on assisted conception to Peers, MPs and the public during the passage of the HFE Bill through Parliament. Her patient, common sense and direct approach to many of the problems brought up by opponents of IVF and its associated techniques were a model to all of us involved in these discussions and debates. I joined Anne McLaren in London in 1974, when she established the MRC Mammalian Development Unit and spent seven memorable years in the Unit. During this time her friendship and encouragement to me and all members of the Unit were invaluable and this is reflected in the subsequent achievements of those former members.
Already worldwide, many wonderful tributes have been made to Anne since her death, and one general tribute paid by all is that she was a self-effacing person who brought dignity and respect to all that she accomplished in her scientific and personal endeavours. We shall miss her but at the same time we feel privileged to have known her.
Anne Laura Dorinthea McLaren, born April 26 1927; died July 7 2007.
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