Embryologist

Pregnancy and the miracle of birth is a precious, fascinating scientific study. Studying the various stages and trimesters in a pregnancy, embryologists watch embryos grow new features day by day. Similarly, watching plants sprout from seedlings to tiny buds or the cocoon stages before butterflies bloom are pretty incredible processes as all life forms begin as some form of embryo.

Embryology, the scientific study of embryonic development, deals with the period from fertilization until the hatching or birth of an animal or the germination of a plant. However, since a young animal may undergo metamorphosis or may remain wholly dependent on the mother for some time after birth, the exact limit of the time during which an organism is an embryo has not generally been well defined. This has heated up debate amongst pro-choice and pro-life activists, nevertheless, embryologists are trying to define the term embryo and make it clearer.

Embryologists study the formation, early growth and development of living organisms. Clinical embryologists work with human embryos, as opposed to non-clinical embryologists who work with animal or plant embryos. Embroyologists also study abnormalities in embryos to help understand why and how this happens. There are many different ways that developmental abnormalities can occur in the fetus however the two major types are congenital (inherited or genetic) and maternal-derived abnormalities.

Congenital abnormalities usually involve only small DNA mutations affecting genes, with two exceptions: major chromosomal abnormalities which result in either Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome. Maternal derived abnormalities are usually related to the mother's lifestyle, environment and nutrition. For example, abnormalities can be related to excess alcohol on neural development, called fetal alcohol syndrome, viral infections at a critical stage of development, inadequate dietary folate intake, and the effects of prescription drugs. A major disaster in history is of women who were prescribed Thalidomide to combat morning sickness, which prevented the proper growth of the fetus resulting in birth defects in thousands of children.

Highly trained in advanced laboratory techniques, embryologists prepare sperm and egg samples and provide the necessary conditions for fertilization and embryo development in vitro. They are also certified to facilitate the growth, development, maturation, and preservation of human embryos. Since many couples are unable to have children due to fertility problems or same-sex couples wishing to have a baby through the process of in vitro fertilization, embryologists have devised scientific processes to help these struggling couples reproduce.



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