New Delhi, June 19: June 19 holds a significant place in the history of Indian medical science. This day reminds us of the great scientist who made one of the world’s most remarkable medical miracles possible in India. However, during his lifetime, he did not receive the recognition he deserved. This is the story of Dr. Subhash Mukhopadhyay, the father of India’s first test-tube baby.
Today, as in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques bring joy to millions of childless couples, it is essential to remember that the scientist who laid the foundation for this revolution in India had to wait over two decades after his death to gain acknowledgment in his own country.
On July 25, 1978, the world’s first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in the UK through the efforts of scientists Dr. Robert Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe. The world was thrilled by this achievement. However, very few know that just 67 days later, Dr. Subhash Mukhopadhyay and his team announced the birth of India’s first and the world’s second test-tube baby, ‘Durga’, through IVF technology. This achievement was extraordinary in itself.
Born on January 16, 1931, in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, Dr. Mukhopadhyay was a brilliant student from a young age. His father, Dr. Satyendra Nath Mukherjee, was a renowned radiologist. After completing his early education, he graduated in Physiology from the University of Calcutta and earned his MBBS degree from Calcutta Medical College in 1955, receiving scholarships and college medals for his outstanding performance in obstetrics and gynecology. He later obtained two PhDs in reproductive physiology and reproductive endocrinology.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay was not limited to IVF experiments. His scientific thinking was far ahead of the available technologies of his time. He utilized gonadotropin-based techniques to stimulate the ovaries, which later became part of standard treatments worldwide. Most notably, his work on embryo cryopreservation—safely freezing embryos for later use—was recorded nearly five years before similar successes were achieved by other scientists. Many techniques now considered standard in the IVF industry were pioneered by Dr. Mukhopadhyay in the 1970s.
Despite such monumental success, Dr. Mukhopadhyay did not receive due recognition. The West Bengal government formed a committee to investigate his research, ironically without any IVF experts. Dr. Mukhopadhyay presented a detailed report of his findings, but the committee dismissed his claims as unreliable, absurd, and fraudulent. He was denied the opportunity to present his research at international conferences, and instead of being taken seriously, he faced ridicule. A segment of the media and scientific community viewed him with skepticism.
The scientific rejection did not stop there. In 1980, he was transferred far from home to RG Kar Medical College. The following year, he was sent to the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, where continuing his research became nearly impossible. Continuous humiliation, mental stress, and professional isolation took a toll on him, leading to health issues, including a heart attack. Ultimately, on June 18, 1981, he ended his life. In his final note, he wrote, “I cannot wait every day to die of a heart attack.”
Even after Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s death, his contributions remained unrecognized for years. In 1997, Dr. T.C. Anand Kumar, former director of a reproductive research institute in Mumbai, studied his research papers, documents, and handwritten notes. After thorough investigation, he confirmed that Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s research was entirely scientific and that ‘Durga’ was indeed India’s first IVF baby. As a result of his efforts, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) officially recognized Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s contributions in 2002.
Posthumously, several memorial lectures, research centers, and awards have been established in Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s name. The “Dr. Subhash Mukherjee Memorial Oration” began in 1982. In 2007, he was included in the prestigious Dictionary of Medical Biography. In 2012, the ICMR announced an award in his honor. In 2020, the ICMR-National Institute of Reproductive Health Research published a special book on his life and achievements.
Leave a Comment