This introduction provides an overview of the concepts discussed in the book The Placenta and Human Developmental Programming. Developmental programming of the fetus is a phenomenon that has profound implications for the health of individuals and societies. This book explores the current knowledge of the ways in which various aspects of placental development and function may influence fetal programming, and aims to promote further scientific research in their respective fields. The development of the placenta is not autonomous, but is clearly heavily influenced by the uterine mucosa with which the trophoblast interacts. Assessment of placental function in vivo is obviously important for clinical diagnosis and monitoring. The capacity of the placenta to supply adequate nutrients to the fetus is obviously of central importance to the role of the organ in developmental programming, but other aspects of placental function may also operate.