MUSEUM EXHIBIT EXAMINES HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FROM EMBRYONIC STAGE THROUGH EARLY CHILDHOOD
(Click on image to enlarge)

"From a Single Cell," an exhibit that documents human development from the embryonic stage to age 5, includes real human specimens from the museum's Human Developmental Anatomy Collection (HDAC), which is the largest collection of fetal material in the United States. It also features anatomical models and images that demonstrate different growth patterns and developmental stages before and after birth.

The anatomical specimens, models, and images demonstrate the complexity of the developing embryo and portray new methods being used by the science of embryology. The anatomical specimens on display include fetal, infant, and child skeletons that demonstrate how the bones change as a person gets older; fetal specimens that document abnormalities such as dwarfism and conjoined twins; and embryos as little as 17 days after conception.

The exhibit also includes plastinated male and female reproductive systems. Plastination, a method of preserving anatomical specimens, was invented by scientist Gunther von Hagens, M.D., at Heidelberg University in Germany in 1978.

In addition, the exhibit contains plaster models that track human growth by showing different stages of embryonic development. These models focus mainly on the first eight weeks of development.

Similarly, the images on display provide visitors with a close-up look at the developing fetus.

The exhibit also includes an interactive computer station that shows computer generated models of human embryos that are used by contemporary scientists as research and teaching tools.

To the best of the museum staff's knowledge, all of the anatomical specimens used in the exhibit were the result of conditions that prevented the survival of the embryo or fetus. Others were stillborn because of complications during pregnancy or were the result of medically necessary operations. Although some people may find these specimens disturbing, the majority of surveyed museum visitors feel that the display of human remains has an important educational value.