This is a small book about development before birth, imagined from the point of view of a cell within the baby. Most embryology books are written from the outside looking in - this is from the inside looking out! Your guide is a blood cell, and birth is approaching. For the first time, the members of this developing cellular society are experiencing hardships - spatial constraints and environmental shock-waves. The cell reflects on how the society came to be in this situation, and what options there are for the future.
In Hans’ beautiful drawings, the cells are represented as people so that we can empathise with what is going on. The accompanying story is written in non-technical language whilst building on current scientific understanding of development. Embryological processes such as cell division, cell movement, communication between cells, morphogenesis, differentiation, the role of the DNA (referred to as the 'Source' in this story), and even cell death are incorporated in the drawings and text in ways that resonate with our every-day experience. There are surprising parallels between the situation faced by this cellular society and our own situation as we come to terms with living in a world of increasing wants and finite resources.
To order a copy, please go to www.lulu.com (currently not available from any other distributor.)
