What is the reason for such a subject - multidisciplinarity and plant embryology - among an anthology of papers from embryologists? If it is true that, in less than a century, science and technology have completely transformed society, this includes the vast field of research in biology. All this recent development is cause for reflection concerning the place and interest of plant embryology within a new framework. Considerable interests are staked in the development of contemporary science; it is done in a competitive context. It also goes without saying that scientific knowledge and modern techniques give man very great power, with great responsibilities.