Beyond naming: embryo models and the importance of public dialogue

Who decides what to name something new in science like “human embryo models”?

And not to get too philosophical right off the bat, but what is the point of a name?

It’s about a shared understanding of what we’re talking about. But, very often, both out in the world and in the various fields of science, it’s not quite so simple.

Words are wrought with unsaid connotations that can sway or even taint the way they’re used and their meanings. This is especially true for contentious topics, such as naming something some of the general public take issue with: human embryo models.