Preformism and epigenesis in the history of embryology

Abstract

Preformism conceives the development of embryo from the existence of a previously formed embryo in the sperm or in the egg; while epigenesis considers that it originates from the development of an amorphous principle, as consequence of the changes that take place with fecundation. To achieve this, the present investigation was carried out where a critical evaluation of both theories is made, from the origin of embryology in the old Greece, as a result of the interpretation of the Aristotelian philosophical dualism, to the present time.

Keywords

• embriología, preformismo, epigénesis, ontogénesis, teratogénico, idealismo, materialismo.