Fetal Tissue Transplants in Medicine

Professor Edwards is a pioneer of much of the research in applied human embryology, making a significant and invaluable contribution to knowledge in this field. In this 1992 book, he brought together the research experience of prominent scientists and clinicians. The most advanced scientific and clinical developments and techniques were presented, including both the transplantation of fetal tissue into mature recipients and the grafting of donor cells into fetuses known to be carrying a genetic disease. The successes and failures of these techniques as a clinical treatment and therapeutic tool are discussed. The book begins with an overview of embryologic devlopment: from fertilization to differentiation of cell lines and organogenesis. The transplantation of specific cell lines and tissue types is then considered. Transplantation techniques, donor–host interactions and immunology, cell and tissue storage are all discussed, as are the ethical issues and the legal implications.