A History of Embryology

A History of Embryology is a 1934 book about the history of embryology by the British biochemist, Joseph Needham.^[1] In 1959, a revised edition was published.^[2][3]

History of Embryology

Author	Joseph Needham
Genre	Historical non-fiction
Publisher	At the University Press
Publication date	1934
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print (hardback and paperback)
Pages	274 pp

In 1931, Needham wrote a book called Chemical Embryology. The first four chapters were a detailed treatment of the history of embryology up until c. 1800. Several years later, these chapters grew into and were separately published as Needham's book A History of Embryology.^[4] The four chapters of Needham's book chronologically cover the development of embryology from ancient times until the late 18th century.^[2][3]

Early stages

Needham starts with early stages of embryology in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. where the study was mostly speculative and based on observations from animal and human reproduction. noteworthy contributions of Aristotle's laid the groundwork for future developments.^[2][3]

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, religious and philosophical beliefs notably influenced embryological theories which limited scientific progress. Although, the renaissance saw a shift as evidence by the work of Leonardo da Vinci and others, who introduce more systematic studies of anatomy and embryology.^[2][3]

17th and 18th Century

In the 17^th and 18^th centuries the invention of the microscope allowed scientist like Marcello Malpighi and Jan Swammerdam to observe embryonic development which leading to the preformationist theory that the embryo exists fully formed within the egg or sperm. this theory was the challenges from atonable discoveries by Nicholas Stensen, William Harvey and others.^[2][3]

19th and 20th Century

In the 19^th and 20^th centuries the influential work of Karl Ernst von Baer and the integration of genetics by Gregor Mendel laid the foundation for developmental biology. Needham concludes with discussions on stem cell research and the ethical and social implications of modern advancements.^[2][3]