McLaren, Anne Laura (1927–)

Welsh biologist and geneticist. Name variations: Dame Anne McLaren; Dr. Anne McLaren; Anne Michie. Born Anne Laura Dorinthea McLaren, April 26, 1927, in Tal-y-cafn, Wales; dau. of Henry Duncan McLaren, 2nd Baron of Aberconway, and Christabel Melville MacNaghten; Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, BS, PhD, 1952; m. Donald Michie (scientist), 1952 (div. 1959); children: Susan, Jonathan and Caroline Michie.

Renowned scientist, best known for discovery and isolation of the embryonal carcinoma cell line, became the 1st female Christopher Welch scholar after conducting mini-research project in J.B.S. Haldane's laboratory at University College, London (UCL), on infestation of Drosophila with mites; with husband, worked with Peter Medawar at UCL, then moved to Royal Veterinary College (1955); moved to Institute of Animal Genetics to study superovulation and superpregnancy (1959) and went on to study immunoconception, DNA hybridization and skeletal characteristics (1960s–70s); served as director of Medical Research Council's Mammalian Development Unit at UCL (1974–92); involved with birth of 1st test-tube baby (1978); moved to Wellcome Trust/CR UK Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology in Cambridge (1992), becoming honorary fellow (1996); served as member of Warnock Committee on Human Fertilization and Embryology, on Voluntary Licensing Authority for human in vitro fertilization and embryology, and was member of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority that regulates IVF and human embryo research in UK; particularly concerned about ethical implications of genetic research, served on Nuffield Foundation's Bioethics Council and European Group on Ethics; invested as fellow of Royal Society (1975), served as its vice-president (1991–1996); was founding member of Academia Europaea and Academy of Medical Sciences. Named Dame of British Empire (DBE, 1993).