Carl Wood
Encyclopedia
Edwin Carlyle "Carl" Wood, AC, CBE, FRCS, FRANZCOG
(28 May 192923 September 2011) was a prominent Australian gynaecologist, best known for his pioneering work developing and commercialising the technique of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). He gained considerable international and national attention for his wide-ranging contributions in the field of women's health over a period of almost 50 years, although not all of it was positive given the controversial nature of many of his endeavours.
, Melbourne
he graduated in medicine with honours at Melbourne University in 1952. He then held positions as Research Associate at the Rockefeller Institute in New York
, and Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital for Women in London
before becoming the Foundation Professor and Chairman of the Monash University
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Queen Victoria Hospital and Monash Medical Centre
in 1964.
Professor Wood received international acclaim in the 1970s for his pioneering work in the fields of obstetric physiology and foetal monitoring as well as in psychosomatic obstetrics
and gynaecology, birth control
and finally in in-vitro fertilisation. In 1988 he was recognised with the Axel Munthe Award in Reproductive Science.
Professor Wood led the Monash University IVF team in the development of the IVF technique during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His team were responsible for a number of innovations including the world's first IVF pregnancy 1973, world's first IVF baby developed using a frozen embryo 1983, world's first donor egg baby 1983, world's first IVF baby using sperm retrieval surgery 1986 and world's first Microinjection Intra Fallopian Transfer (MIFT) IVF baby 1992. The most important development, however, was the use of pharmaceutical and hormonal stimulation of ovaries for more control of egg maturation and collection, which transformed IVF from an experimental technique to a successful clinical treatment.
Carl Wood held many wide ranging positions while Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University
. These included, among others, Foundation Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Family Planning Association of Victoria
1970-72, Chairman Artificial Insemination
by Donor (AID) Service, Melbourne Family Medical Centre, Monash University 1976-78, Foundation President of Victorian Association for the Study of Sex Education
, Research and Therapy 1982, and President, International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy 1997-98. He was Chairman and Director, In Vitro Fertilisation Program Melbourne Family Medical Centre Monash University 1978-86, where he carried out most of his pioneering work in this field. He also jointly established the Endometriosis
Care Clinic of Australia (ECCA) in 1998, a charitable foundation to assist Australian women suffering from this disease.
Professor Wood was an invited speaker at over 90 national and international meetings, and wrote 23 books, 59 chapters and 400 papers in refereed medical and scientific journals.
Professor Wood was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1982, and Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1995 for his services to women's health and as a pioneer of in-vitro fertilisation.
The Carl Wood Endowment was established by the Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to provide funds for the research development of young clinicians. More recently the Carl Wood Chair was established by the same department.
Carl Wood has been called variously the father
, grandfather and godfather of IVF.
He passed away peacefully on 23 September 2011 after a seven-year illness with Alzheimers' type dementia.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is the body responsible for training and examining obstetricians and gynaecologists in New Zealand and Australia...
(28 May 192923 September 2011) was a prominent Australian gynaecologist, best known for his pioneering work developing and commercialising the technique of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). He gained considerable international and national attention for his wide-ranging contributions in the field of women's health over a period of almost 50 years, although not all of it was positive given the controversial nature of many of his endeavours.
Biography
After completing his education at Wesley CollegeWesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne is an independent, co-educational, Christian day school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1866, the college is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia. Wesley is the largest school in Australia by enrolment, with 3,511 students and 564 full-time staff...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
he graduated in medicine with honours at Melbourne University in 1952. He then held positions as Research Associate at the Rockefeller Institute in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital for Women in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before becoming the Foundation Professor and Chairman of the Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Queen Victoria Hospital and Monash Medical Centre
Monash Medical Centre
Monash Medical Centres is a multicampus teaching hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Clayton campus is located in Clayton, whilst the Moorabbin Campus is at Bentleigh East...
in 1964.
Professor Wood received international acclaim in the 1970s for his pioneering work in the fields of obstetric physiology and foetal monitoring as well as in psychosomatic obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and gynaecology, birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
and finally in in-vitro fertilisation. In 1988 he was recognised with the Axel Munthe Award in Reproductive Science.
Professor Wood led the Monash University IVF team in the development of the IVF technique during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His team were responsible for a number of innovations including the world's first IVF pregnancy 1973, world's first IVF baby developed using a frozen embryo 1983, world's first donor egg baby 1983, world's first IVF baby using sperm retrieval surgery 1986 and world's first Microinjection Intra Fallopian Transfer (MIFT) IVF baby 1992. The most important development, however, was the use of pharmaceutical and hormonal stimulation of ovaries for more control of egg maturation and collection, which transformed IVF from an experimental technique to a successful clinical treatment.
Carl Wood held many wide ranging positions while Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
. These included, among others, Foundation Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Family Planning Association of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
1970-72, Chairman Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
by Donor (AID) Service, Melbourne Family Medical Centre, Monash University 1976-78, Foundation President of Victorian Association for the Study of Sex Education
Sex Education
Sex education is an aspect of modern Western secondary education. It may also refer to:* Sex Education , a 1988 young adult novel by Jenny Davis on the American Library Association's list of Top 100 banned books...
, Research and Therapy 1982, and President, International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy 1997-98. He was Chairman and Director, In Vitro Fertilisation Program Melbourne Family Medical Centre Monash University 1978-86, where he carried out most of his pioneering work in this field. He also jointly established the Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
Care Clinic of Australia (ECCA) in 1998, a charitable foundation to assist Australian women suffering from this disease.
Professor Wood was an invited speaker at over 90 national and international meetings, and wrote 23 books, 59 chapters and 400 papers in refereed medical and scientific journals.
Professor Wood was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1982, and Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1995 for his services to women's health and as a pioneer of in-vitro fertilisation.
The Carl Wood Endowment was established by the Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to provide funds for the research development of young clinicians. More recently the Carl Wood Chair was established by the same department.
Carl Wood has been called variously the father
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
, grandfather and godfather of IVF.
He passed away peacefully on 23 September 2011 after a seven-year illness with Alzheimers' type dementia.
Books
- The Infertile Couple, By Roger J. Pepperell, Bryan Hudson, Carl Wood, 1980, ISBN 0443-0172-71
- Artificial Insemination by Donor, By Carl Wood, Monash University, 1980, ISBN 0867-4603-0X
- In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer By Alan O. TrounsonAlan O. TrounsonAlan Trounson, Ph.D., is a biologist and President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine California’s $3 billion stem cell agency...
, Carl Wood, Published 1984, ISBN 0443026750 - Atlas of Fine Structure of Human Sperm Penetration, Eggs, and Embryos Cultured In Vitro, by A. Henry Sathananthan (Author), Alan O. TrounsonAlan O. TrounsonAlan Trounson, Ph.D., is a biologist and President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine California’s $3 billion stem cell agency...
(Author), Carl Wood (Author), November 1985, ISBN 0275-9130-82 - In Vitro Fertilization: By Carl Wood, Ann Westmore, 1987, ISBN 0855-7217-74
- Prematurity,By E. Carl Wood, Victor Y. H. Yu, 1987, ISBN 0443-0348-0X
- The A-Z of Pregnancy & Birth, By Michael D. Humphrey, Susan Gumley, Carl Wood, 1989, ISBN 0140-1219-51
- Clinical in Vitro Fertilization,by Carl Wood (Author), Alan O. TrounsonAlan O. TrounsonAlan Trounson, Ph.D., is a biologist and President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine California’s $3 billion stem cell agency...
(Editor), 1989, ISBN 0387-1953-43 - I.V.F. In Vitro Fertilisation, by Professor Carl Wood and Robyn Riley,First published in 1983, New Edition, 1992, ISBN 0-85575-2126
- Illustrated Textbook of Gynaecology,By Eric Vincent Mackay, Norman A. Beischer, Roger J. Pepperell, Carl Wood, 1992, ISBN 0729-5121-18
- Gynaecological Operative Laparoscopy: Current Status and Future Development, By Carl Wood, David J. Hill, Peter J. Maher, 1994, ISBN 0702-0186-94
- Infertility: All Your Questions Answered, By Gab Kovacs, Carl Wood, 1996, ISBN 0855-7226-30
- Hysterectomy By Carl Wood, Published 1997, ISBN 0702-0226-24
- The Treatment of Fibroids, By Carl Wood, 2000, ISBN 0855-7230-5X
- Sexual Positions: An Australian View, By Carl Wood, 2001, ISBN 0855-7231-49a
Articles
- Should we try to supplement the growth retarded fetus? A cautionary tale,BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 100 (10), 972–972.doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1993.tb15133.x, by:J. H. Drew Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, N. A. Beischer Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Carl Wood Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1993)
See also
- IVF
- Gynecology
- laparoscopyLaparoscopyLaparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions with the aid of a camera...
- cyto
- Monash UniversityMonash UniversityMonash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
- InfertilityInfertilityInfertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...