The birth of Louise Brown in 1978 was the culmination of decades of scientific research in reproductive medicine. Since then, an abundance of breakthroughs in both clinical medicine and basic science have allowed increasing numbers of infertile couples the chance to have a baby (Figure 1). To date, more than 2 million babies have been born worldwide through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The
most recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics noted that 48 000 babies were born in the US and over 100 000 ART cycles were performed in the year 2003 alone (CDC 2005).