Embryology generally focuses on prenatal development of
embryos and fetuses .
Interest in human development before birth is widespread , largely because of curiosity
about our beginnings and the desire to improve the quality of life
significance of embryology
bridges the gap between prenatal development and obstetrics , perinatal medicine , pediatrics , and clinical anatomy .
develops knowledge concerning the beginnings of human life and the changes
occurring during prenatal development .
is of practical value ´ in helping to understand the causes of variations in human
structure .
illuminates gross anatomy ” and explains how normal and abnormal relations
develop .
genetics and human development
In 1859 Charles Darwin ” published his book On the Origin of Species "
James Watsonand Fracis Crick ” deciphered the molecular structure of DNA in
1953
in 2000 the human genome ” was sequenced .
molecular biology of human development
Rapid advances in the field of molecular biology have led to the application of sophisticated techniques
The critical role of homeobox - containing ( HOX ) genes ” and other molecular factors in regulating early embryonic development is rapidly evolving .
Human embryonic stem cells are pluripotential and capable of developing into diverse
cell types .
