Species Choice and Model Use: Reviving Research on Human Development

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Historically, model organisms dominated biological research, with human studies often neglected.
• Human embryo research has experienced cycles of attention and neglect over the past 60 years.
• Recent advancements have propelled human embryo studies to the forefront of several scientific fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the political factors influencing the choice of species in biological research, focusing on human development.
• To explain the recent surge in human embryo research by examining its relationship with model organisms.
• To understand how human studies compete with and rely on model systems.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of research trends and species choice in developmental biology.
• Examination of the influence of reproductive biomedicine, in vitro fertilization, and stem-cell science.
• Assessment of the role of model organisms (e.g., mice) and novel technologies.

Main Results:

• Human embryo research has moved from the periphery to the center of developmental biology, reproductive medicine, and genetics.
• The increased interest in human studies is linked to both rivalry with and dependence on model organisms.
• Medical applications, particularly in vitro fertilization, provided crucial access to human samples and drove demand for clinical relevance.

Conclusions:

• The revival of human embryo research was significantly enabled by advancements in model organism research and infrastructure.
• The development of organoids and stem-cell-derived embryo-like structures has fostered the new field of human developmental biology.
• Human research strategically competes with and leverages model systems, demonstrating a dynamic interdependence.