From uncommitted to committed embryonic cells: opportunities for their study and manipulation

This paper offers a broad review of the methodologies used for the study of embryonic development and for the manipulation of embryonic cells. It was written in the context of the silver anniversary of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology and places particular emphasis on the achievements of Australian scientists in this field. It has attempted to place recent advancements in some historical perspective, to examine the present "state of the art' in reproductive technologies and to consider future directions.