More than four decades ago British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab．Since that ground-breaking moment，more than four million babies have been born through IVF and in 2010his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine．

The prize for Dr．Edwards，who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008，includes a£900，000check．The Nobel Assembly described IVF as a"milestone in modern medicine"．

With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe，the Manchester-born physiologist developed IVF-leading to the birth of the world's first test tube baby．Dr．Steptoe died 10years later but their work has transformed fertility treatment and given hope to millions of couples．

It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed the lives of millions of couples．They said："His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility，a disease which makes human unable to have a baby．This disease has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10% of all couples worldwide．"

Louise Brown，the world's first test tube baby，made international headlines when she was born in Oldham，Manchester，in 1978to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969．

IVF-----in-vitro fertilization is the process whereby egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb．After a cycle of IVF，the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five-the same as healthy couples who conceive naturally．

Professor Edwards，who has five daughters and 11grandchildren，began his research at Cambridge University in 1963，after receiving his PhD in 1955．He once said："The most important thing in life is having a child．Nothing is more special than a child．"With the help of fellow scientist Patric