Adventures in involving and engaging the public in human developmental biology research

Fundamental human developmental biology research can sometimes be viewed as controversial by wider society because it relies on tissues donated from abortions and early embryos from fertility treatment. Moreover, it has potentially widespread, but as yet undefined, implications for human health. The Human Developmental Biology Initiative public engagement programme aspires to test new ways of engaging and involving the public with fundamental biology, including working with a public panel, modelled on a patient and public involvement approach that means the public have a say in how research is designed, conducted and disseminated. This approach is now being strongly advocated for fundamental research projects by major research funders in the UK. In this Perspective, we provide an update on this unique and experimental public engagement approach, exploring its successes and challenges. We hope that by sharing our experiences, we will encourage and enable others to involve the public in their own fundamental research.