For in vitro experiments, see In vitro, for in vitro fertilization, see In vitro fertilization

In Vitroes are a fictional genetically engineered subspecies of humans in the science fiction television series . The name is etymologically derived from the Latin phrase "in vitro", which is used in science to refer to state of being in an artificial environment outside the living organism. Thus, In Vitro refers to the race not only being conceived in a laboratory, but also artificially gestated in glass and metal cylinders, to be "born" as young adults.

In vitro studies are performed with microorganisms, cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test tube experiments", these studies in biology and its sub-disciplines have traditionally been done in test-tubes, flasks, petri dishes etc and since the onset of molecular biology involve techniques such as the so-called omics. Studies that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological surroundings permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. In contrast, in vivo studies are those conducted in animals including humans, and whole plants.