Small number of genes trigger embryo development

Humans differ from mice in earliest days after fertilization, studies suggest

a four-cell embryo

IN THE BEGINNING  Early embryos (a four-cell embryo shown) from mice and humans look the same on the outside, but gene activity studies show some big differences under the hood.

Ugurhan Betin/iStockphoto

In the first days after an egg is fertilized, throwing a few key genetic switches revs up human embryo development, two new studies suggest.