Prof. Shlomo Mashiach, Israeli IVF Pioneer, Dies at 89

Prof. Shlomo Mashiach, one of Israel’s pioneers of in vitro fertilization, died in Tel Aviv at 89, his family announced. He founded Israel’s first IVF unit at Sheba Medical Center and led the work that produced the country’s first test-tube pregnancy in 1982, the fifth such success worldwide. Mashiach was among the founders of Tel Aviv University’s medical faculty and later headed its obstetrics and gynecology department for two terms. His sons said he estimated helping bring about 40,000 babies into the world; he is survived by two sons and two granddaughters.