Now, for the first time, scientists have captured images and video in real time of these early developmental stages, offering exciting insights into the long-standing "mystery" of human development.

Understanding the early embryo as not-yet-human contributed to widespread tolerance of abortion. This would begin to change only in the Enlightenment. So, the Enlightenment apparently had its flaws.

If scientists could watch an embryo’s cells develop in real time, they might be able to understand, track, and ultimately prevent, the formation of mutations and diseases in human infants ...

Origins The 14-day rule is an ethical line past which cultured human embryos are not to continue developing outside the body. It is protected by law in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom ...

Human embryos are more muscle-bound than adult humans, new microscope images cataloging early development show. For instance, at seven weeks of gestation, embryonic hands have about 30 muscles.

SNEAK PEEK At 9.5 weeks of pregnancy, a human embryo is almost 16 millimeters long — about the size of a 1-cent euro coin. A new 3-D tool lets users check out (from left) the embryo’s skin ...

A team of scientists from the U.S. and China created a mixed embryo with human stem cells and macaque monkey cells. Here, a Rhesus macaque monkey looks on from the quarantine room of the future ...

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Friday condemned the cloning of human embryos, calling it the "worst type of exploitation of the human being." Sign up here. "This ranks among the most ...