Joy on Netflix is a movie that delves into themes of hope, perseverance, and the importance of scientific explorations. The film chronicles the lives of brilliant scientists who changed millions of lives with their remarkable creations.
With each passing second, Joy would suck you into a world where innovation is pursued relentlessly. It also does justice to the parts that feature how skepticism is prevalent in the medical community and people’s sacrifices for science. However, is there any truth in the film’s narrative?
Is Joy Based on a True Story?
Yes, Joy is indeed based on a true story and covers one of the most important advancements that humans made in the 20th century: In-vitro fertilization (IVF). Most importantly, the movie centers on the contributions of Jean Purdy, whose work was often not taken into account or appreciated as much as her colleagues, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe’s.
The world’s first test-tube baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in 1978, and this event became a monumental achievement in the world’s medical history. But reaching this milestone was no small feat as it required decades of hard work and research that was led by Edwards, an embryologist, and Steptoe, a gynecologist (via Harpers Bazaar).
The two initiated their collaboration in 1968, and they were determined to find a solution for infertility, mainly caused by blocked fallopian tubes. They had an ambitious goal of fertilizing the egg outside the womb and then reimplanting it for natural growth.
This whole process seemed too complicated for the bygone era, and everyone in the medical community doubted if their goal was at all possible. Moreover, there was backlash due to moral objections from religious leaders. And to top it all off, their project was also not funded well.
The critics also claimed that their project was not in line with the natural order of things, and raised concerns about ethics, embryo destruction, and abnormalities. The hurdles kept showing up, one after the other, but the two decided to carry forward, and even funded the research with their own money.
Jean Purdy: The Unsung Pioneer of IVF
Later, they were joined by Jean Purdy, a 23-year-old nurse and lab technician. Her attention to detail along with the ability to comfort patients became invaluable traits for the project. The trio went on to conduct hundreds of trials by collecting eggs from volunteers, as they improved on their pre-existing techniques and built upon the new knowledge they gathered over the years (via Time).
Edwards and Steptoe have widely been recognized as the “father of IVF,” but what people don’t know is that Purdy’s contributions were just as significant. She was referred to as the “mother of IVF,” by a fellow scientist, but her work was not as recognized despite it being essential to the success of the groundbreaking procedure.
She was hired by Edwards to be their lab technician but her performance was so brilliant that she quickly became an integral part of their team. Purdy’s daily tasks required her to manage the lab operations and maintain sterile conditions. But she also went on to develop the culture medium which is of utmost importance in the procedure of sustaining fertilized embryos. Most importantly, she was a machine when it came to recording accurate data, and this accuracy laid the foundation for their future breakthroughs.
She was also an empathetic woman and this quality of hers was seen even beyond the lab when she supported the patients through emotionally challenging processes. The patients appreciated her being so warm and reassuring to them in an unfamiliar environment.
Purdy co-authored 26 scientific papers, yet her work is still overshadowed by her male colleagues. She was present when they practised the first successful cell division of an IVF embryo and also helped in establishing the Bourn Hall, the world’s first IVF clinic.
Sadly, Purdy passed away from melanoma in 1985 when she was only 39 years old, and the world never recognized her contributions when she was still alive. Thomasin McKenzie has done a wonderful job in Joy as Purdy, by managing to capture her essence and portraying the dedication and humanity she had, for which she deserved all the accolades in the world.
Societal Resistance to IVF and Establishing Bourn Hall
Despite the resistance from scientists, critics, medical professionals, and religious leaders, the team’s resolve remained intact. They held on to their full-time jobs and carried out their research in Kershaw’s Cottage Hospital in Oldham, where they were given a modest lab for all their testing and research.
The lack of funding and public support had a counterintuitive effect on their commitment, as it only strengthened their willingness to overcome the infertility challenges faced by people.
With the birth of Louise Joy Brown, all their blood, sweat, and tears finally paid off, and the moment became pivotal in modern medicine. As of now, more than 12 million babies have been born through the same procedure, and it has changed the lives of countless people by gifting them an opportunity to experience parenthood (via Big Issue).
But even after the successful child birth, they were denied funding for setting up a place where they could carry out IVF treatments. But Purdy recognised a manor near Cambridge that had been turned into Bourn Hall, which was established in 1980. She became the clinic’s technical director and was tasked with overseeing operations, to ensure that it met the highest standards.
By the time of her death, 370 children had been conceived through the newfound procedure. Even today, it is a global leader in fertility treatments and stands tall as a testament to the trio’s relentless efforts. In Joy, you will experience Purdy’s journey and how instrumental she was in the world of medicine. The movie ensures that her contribution reaches a broader audience, and shows her as an equal partner in the IVF project.
It challenges the historical narrative that has often sidelined the work of women in STEM fields. Purdy’s legacy continues to inspire countless individuals and future generations of women who aspire to become scientists and healthcare professionals.
