Unveiling fetal development by use of "omics"

As molecular technologies advance, scientists are attempting to use “omics” to shed light on critical steps related to fetal development. This work focuses not only on what genes are present and potentially important for fetal and placental development but also when during development these genes play a critical role and how these genes interact with the environment. Simultaneously, clinical genetic technologies continue to evolve, moving from diagnostic testing of amniotic or placental samples to noninvasive screening of placental DNA found in maternal blood. Ainsworth recently highlighted that as these mysteries of development are uncovered, complex questions arise about the ethics of prenatal diagnosis and screening, as well as about emerging possibilities for fetal intervention and therapies to improve clinical outcomes (1). …