Girton College, University Cambridge and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) invited PET to attend an event 'Mary Warnock at 100.
As Baroness Warnock was, up until her death, a Patron of PET - how could we say no.
The event took place at Girton College where Baroness Warnock had served as The Mistress in the 1980s and 90s.
Unsurprisingly, PET was out in force. Several trustees attended including Professor Robin Lovell Badge, Professor Frances Flinter and Natalie Sutherland together with PET director Sarah Norcross.
The event flowed between the past, present and future of assisted reproduction. The history of IVF was beautifully brought to life by Professor Peter Braude. Some of you may recall reading about his eloquent speech on this topic at the PET Annual Conference in 2023 in BioNews.
Professor Braude was joined in this session by Baroness Ruth Deech. Baroness Deech spoke at PET's own commemoration of Baroness Warnock back in April this year. Her presentation at the PET event - which was shared at this event - is available to read in full in BioNews.
Moving on to the present, Professors Emily Jackson and Sarah Franklin performed a double act discussing what Mary Warnock at 100 would think about extending the 14-day rule. It was then the turn of Professor Susan Golombok, who updated us on how the children born as a result of different types of third party conception are faring. The good news is that the psychological research shows that the children are doing well.
Looking to the future were Dr Naomi Moris, Professor Azim Surani and Dr Marta Shahbazi who gave us an whistlestop tour of the latest scientific developments. Stem cell based embryo models, in vitro derived gametes and embryo research they told the audience are just some of the things which may one day help transform assisted reproduction.
Dr Tim Child, who is a member of the HFEA, touched on fertility treatment add-ons which are bringing challenges to the patients in the clinics today. Interestingly, he also covered the use of AI in IVF and rather unique problems this brings.
The Chair of the HFEA, Julia Chain, closed the event by thanking the speakers. She acknowledged that there is much work for the regulator to do to keep the law and regulation up to the standard which would have met with Baroness Warnock's approval.
