Human Reproduction, Vol. 15, No. 5, 3,
May 2000
© 2000 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Editorials |
In Appreciation of Professor R.G.Edwards, Founding Editor of the Human Reproduction Journals
Professor R.G.Edwards is known to clinicians, scientists and the general public as one of the originators of in-vitro fertilization. Working with the late Patrick Steptoe, he pioneered many of the techniques now used routinely in infertility clinics around the world and so has earned the gratitude of many thousands of couples who have been able to have children only because of these new approaches. However, Professor Edwards has had a profound influence on many other areas of reproductive biology as well. He was one of the founders of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), serving as its first Chairman and then being made an Honorary Member in 1993. From its beginning in 1985, ESHRE has grown tremendously in both membership and influence and it is now acknowledged to be one of the pre-eminent international societies of reproductive science and medicine.
In addition to these impressive achievements, the current publications that make up the Human Reproduction family of journals (Human Reproduction, Human Reproduction Update, Molecular Human Reproduction) owe their existence, development and subsequent success to Professor Edwards. The first of the journals, Human Reproduction, was started in 1986, shortly after the founding of ESHRE; this was followed in 1995 by Human Reproduction Update and Molecular Human Reproduction. We would particularly like to acknowledge the contributions of Caroline Blackwell who assisted Professor Edwards during the founding of Human Reproduction and its subsequent development into the top-rated journal in its category.
In the early years, Human Reproduction had to struggle to make an impression on the international scene, competing with long-established journals that held a distinct advantage, at least in the beginning. The stature of Professor Edwards in reproductive science and his boundless enthusiasm and innovation stimulated many clinicians and scientists to submit original manuscripts, debates and opinions to the journal. Consequently, as Human Reproduction continued into the 1990s, it gained tremendously in strength and reputation in the areas of assisted reproduction and reproductive science/medicine, competing very effectively with older, rival publications. The founding of Human Reproduction Update, a review journal focusing on human reproduction, followed shortly by Molecular Human Reproduction, a primary journal focusing on molecular mechanisms that underpin essential events in reproductive biology, strengthened even more the reputation of Human Reproduction.
In addition to publishing original papers that reveal important new insights into human reproductive biology, innovations introduced by Professor Edwards have meant that Human Reproduction also provides an extremely important and successful forum for presenting individual Opinions and for airing issues currently under Debate. This is particularly true in areas where evolving techniques have often raised important ethical questions. Indeed, Professor Edwards has always insisted that these new developments must be considered in ethical, as well as clinical and scientific, terms. Human Reproduction Update now has selected themes in each issue, with commissioned mini-symposia in specific areas relevant to human reproduction and updates on topical subjects. A good example is the last issue of Human Reproduction Update in 1999 (Vol. 5, No. 6) which addresses the relative safety of current oral contraceptives, an extremely important and timely topic. Molecular Human Reproduction publishes the latest discoveries on the molecular front that will provide new insights into mechanisms involved in controlling the reproductive systems.
At present, Human Reproduction Update and Human Reproduction occupy positions 1 and 2, respectively, in the Impact Factor rankings for journals in the categories of both (1) Obstetrics and Gynaecology and (2) Reproductive Biology. Molecular Human Reproduction will have an Impact Factor starting this year and all indications are that it will also be high. For such relatively young journals, this success is quite astonishing and is due largely to the untiring enthusiasm, energy, innovation and devotion of Professor Edwards.
Having delivered these journals into the world and then nurtured them until they became established, internationally recognized titles, Professor Edwards has decided to step down as Editor-in-Chief. On behalf of ESHRE and reproductive clinicians and scientists around the world, I would like to thank Professor Edwards for all his contributions to this field, stimulating the development of exciting new techniques, encouraging clinicians and scientists, both young and established, to ask the important questions and then developing journals in which questions can continue to be presented and the answers discussed and debated. The journals that he has founded will be a lasting legacy of his multifaceted contributions to reproductive science and medicine, and we will do our utmost to see that they continue to thrive and to lead the way as they have done during the past decade. We wish him well as he moves on to other challenges. We know that he will continue to support ESHRE and the journals in the future, and we look forward to being able to call upon his experience and wisdom in the coming years. It is a measure of the continuing growth and success of the journals that we feel it necessary to find three individuals, each serving as Editor-in-Chief of one of our journals, to cover the activities he has undertaken in the past. Throughout his career, Professor Edwards has made an immense contribution to the whole of reproductive biology. ESHRE would like to acknowledge its debt and gratitude to the founding father of assisted reproduction.
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