With his 13th book still a work in progress, Dr Howard Jones died last week at the age of 104. Still keeping office hours at the Jones Institute of Reproductive Medicine, he worked as professor emeritus. He wrote scientific papers, had a book published in 2014 and participated in webinars until his brief final illness.
Born on 20th December 1910, Howard W. Jones was delivered by his own future father-in-law.
The other half of this famous husband/wife research team, Dr Georgeanna Seegar Jones played a major role in developing IVF programs in America.
Elizabeth Carr was the first American born via IVF on 28th December, 1981, three years after the arrival of  the world’s first IVF baby,Louise Brown, in England. ‘He was like a grandfather to me,’ recalls Ms Carr,’ and called every year on my birthday.’
Dr Jones was a distinguished gynaecological surgeon who performed complicated sex-change operations.
He lead the adoption of ethical guidelines for IVF which are still followed by doctors worldwide.
The Vatican consulted with him on IVF.
Working with Nobel Prize recipient Robert Edwards, he extensively researched sperm and egg at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine throughout the 1960’s.
Known for his warmth and keen sense of humour, Dr Jones was a sought after speaker who accepted engagements until recently with the caveat, ‘I don’t buy green bananas!’
Over 5 million babies IVF babies are born worldwide each year and approximately 1 million of those reside in America.
