Jamie and Robert Patterson

Jamie and Robert Patterson were the first "test-tube" (In vitro fertilization) twins to be born in New Zealand. Born at Palmerston North public hospital on June 6th in 1986 to parents June and Graham Patterson, Robert being the older twin and Jamie being the younger .
The fertilization procedure was performed in Melbourne at and was said to have cost an estimated NZD$20,000, which at the time was enough money to buy a decent house in Palmerston North.
Public Views
When the twins birth was announced to be in New Zealand it sparked public debate as at the time the procedure was still relatively new and a lack of public knowledge caused some outrage. One woman was quoted by the Palmerston North Evening Standard (now the Manawatu Standard) as saying "I hear that they use monkey parts in the procedure, don't they think this goes against god making half man half monkeys"
Celebrity Status
After the birth the twins became instant celebrities for the first few years of their lives featuring in womans magazines and national newspapers. Various media organizations came to cover the 1st birthday of the "miracle twins" but the celebrity status eventually died off when the twins were about three years old.
The twins today
Both Robert and Jamie are still alive and healthy today and at the time of writing this article they would be aged 22. Jamie is a businessman living in Christchurch and Robert a chef in Palmerston North.

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