The in vitro fertilization of a human egg made it technically possible for the very early human embryo to be used in research, and initiated controversy about whether such research is morally acceptable. In any debate it is important that those interested be able to argue their case from an informed position. In debate about the ethics of human embryo research, arguing from an informed position requires a background knowledge in science, philosophy and law. Some of the central questions to be considered with regard to scientific aspects of this debate include: Is it necessary to use human embryos in research? Why is this research carried out by the scientists? What is the current state of human embryo research? What potential does embryo research offer the scientist in the investigation of problems not able to be studied previously? What are the present limitations to human embryo research? The chapters in Part 1 of this book are concerned with these questions.

IVF provides a unique opportunity for the study of human reproduction and early development, with far-ranging implications for the treatment of infertility and for other areas of research. There are several major areas of research dependent on embryo experimentation in which our present knowledge of this field is being used and added to. These areas are the development of new approaches to contraception, the increased understanding of the mechanisms and diagnosis of infertility, the improvement of the treatment of infertility by IVF and the prenatal detection of genetic and congenital abnormalities.