Understanding the first moments of life could lead to better IVF and explain why women miscarry.

As the embryonic brain develops, a complex cascade of cellular events occur, starting with progenitors -- the originating cells that generate neurons and spur proper cortex development. If this cascade malfunctions then the brain can develop abnormally. New research has shown how the deletion of the protein APC in progenitor leads to massive disruption of brain development and the Wnt protein pathway, which previously was linked to genes associated with autism.

The CNN correspondent has embraced the role of White House antagonist, which makes his boss happy. But the White House loves the matchup, too.

UK scientists have used a genome editing tool known as CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out a gene in embryos, testing the technique's ability to decipher key gene functions in early human development.

Researchers have used genome editing technology to reveal the role of a key gene in human embryos in the first few days of development. This is the first time that genome editing has been used to study gene function in human embryos, which could help scientists to better understand the biology of our early development.

The aim of the work is to better understand embryonic development, rather than to see if genome editing could prevent diseases in children

Researchers disabled a gene that they think helps determine which human embryos will develop normally. The technique they used is controversial because it could be used to change babies' DNA.

Understanding the first moments of life could eventually lead to better IVF and explain why women miscarry.