The exact number of times this process occurs is known for the development of C. elegans, whose ced-3 proteins are the homologues of the Apaf-1-activated human caspases that are responsible for many of its effects.  
The gene S100A8 can protect against it, and a recent study showed that melatonin can antagonize it in partheno-genetic embryos.  This process can be detected via the uptake of 7-AAD during flow cytometry, the exclusion of trypan blue, and the terminal dUTP nick-end labeling, or TUNEL assay.  Binding of the Fas ligand induces it, as does upregulation of proteins like BAX and BAD, while other members of the Bcl-2 family oppose it.  The exact number of times this process occurs is known for the development of C. elegans, whose ced-3 proteins are the homologues of the Apaf-1-activated human caspases that are responsible for many of its effects.  Also initiated by p53 upon un-repairable DNA damage, FTP, name this process of type I programmed cell death.
The gene S100A8 can protect against it, and a recent study showed that melatonin can antagonize it in partheno-genetic embryos.  
apoptosis [prompt on "programmed cell death"]