A Smaller I - Reflections of a fetal cell

Have you ever wondered how a baby makes itself before birth? Contemporary science explains the process by referring to genes and molecules. Embryos and fetuses are often described as molecular machines controlled by a genetic program. But we believe there is a social dimension too: the developing baby is a community, a community of cells. These cells live, move, and reproduce within a web of interactions which help them decide between possible actions. This becomes particularly apparent when development begins to go wrong - the affected cells respond in remarkably adaptive and resilient ways. We are familiar with living in a community. Perhaps we can draw upon that experience to better understand prenatal development? Imagine yourself as a cell within a fetus. Contractions are beginning and birth approaches. Your guide is a blood cell that has travelled throughout this cellular society over and over again, and is beginning to reflect on distressing changes that are occurring...