(1) yahoo.com/answers
(2) Scott F. Gilbert, Anna L. Tyler, Emily J. Zackin Bioethics and the New Embryology
(3)Gilbert Developmental Biology
also used: plannedparenthood.com and abortionfacts.com
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Analysis
Human Life Begins at the formation of a zygote, which is more commonly know as fertilization. That is the shortest and simplest explanation. Although each cell-whether sperm or ovum-is the smallest living unit. Anything living has life in it! Simple as that. I believe that human life begins at conception. Stating that the embryo or fetus becomes "alive" or "human" at a specific point is implying that it was "not human" or "not alive" before that point.
"J.T. Booner pointed out, because we consider a dog, this is a very artificial method, because what we consider an individual is usually just a brief slice of it's life cycle. When we consider a dog, for instance, we usually picture an adult. But the dog is a "dog" from the moment of fertilization of a dog egg by a dog sperm. It remains a dog even as a senescent dying hound. Therefore, the dog is actually the entire life cycle of the animal, from fertilization through death. (3)" I used this quote to illustrate that life begins at fertilization. J.T. Booner shows this using a dog but it can also be used with humans. A human will always be human from the time of fertilization till it dies. Then it is still human, it is just not living.
From a more scientific view-point, the egg begins to divide once the sperm's DNA mixes with it's own. For something to grow it needs to be alive/living. The zygote meets all the criteria for classifying a living organism. Before fertilization neither the sperm nor egg can meet these standards on their own.
"J.T. Booner pointed out, because we consider a dog, this is a very artificial method, because what we consider an individual is usually just a brief slice of it's life cycle. When we consider a dog, for instance, we usually picture an adult. But the dog is a "dog" from the moment of fertilization of a dog egg by a dog sperm. It remains a dog even as a senescent dying hound. Therefore, the dog is actually the entire life cycle of the animal, from fertilization through death. (3)" I used this quote to illustrate that life begins at fertilization. J.T. Booner shows this using a dog but it can also be used with humans. A human will always be human from the time of fertilization till it dies. Then it is still human, it is just not living.
From a more scientific view-point, the egg begins to divide once the sperm's DNA mixes with it's own. For something to grow it needs to be alive/living. The zygote meets all the criteria for classifying a living organism. Before fertilization neither the sperm nor egg can meet these standards on their own.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Background
Developmental biology: The biomedical science that studies the development and transformation of embryos(1). My topic question is when does human life begin? For centuries scientists and philosophers have struggled to answer that very question. It seems that no two views are the same. Plato contended that the human soul does not enter the body until birth. On the other hand Pythagorean stressed that the human soul was created at the time of conception. The Christian bible also states that life begins at conception, the sperm and egg come together to cause conception. Fertilization gives each organism its own genome(2). In humans a persons genome is created by combining 23 chromosomes from each contributing parent. This genome is also referred to as DNA. Some of the instructions embedded in DNA define the species. There is no scientist in the world who would tell you any living creature can reproduce any offspring of a different species.
Biology of prenatal development:
During the first 8 weeks the child referred to as an embryo- meaning "growing within." After that it is considered a fetus "unborn offspring." Human development begins at conception with the formation of a zygote. 6 days after conception the zygote- which is now a blastocyst- implants itself in the uteri an wall and begins to form two germ layers; the hypolast and epiblast. Both play a critical role in forming major body systems. At 3 weeks the brain divides into 3 sections and at 3 weeks 1 day the heart begins beating. The brain begins to function through "waves" around 6 weeks. By 7 weeks the 4-chamber heart is almost completely developed. 15 weeks after conception is when "quickening" occurs. This is when the fetus begins moving on its own. At 22 weeks their lungs gain the ability to breath air. In the 3rd trimester their is a period of rapid brain growth. Then, at 9 months the baby is full term and ready to be delivered.
Biology of prenatal development:
During the first 8 weeks the child referred to as an embryo- meaning "growing within." After that it is considered a fetus "unborn offspring." Human development begins at conception with the formation of a zygote. 6 days after conception the zygote- which is now a blastocyst- implants itself in the uteri an wall and begins to form two germ layers; the hypolast and epiblast. Both play a critical role in forming major body systems. At 3 weeks the brain divides into 3 sections and at 3 weeks 1 day the heart begins beating. The brain begins to function through "waves" around 6 weeks. By 7 weeks the 4-chamber heart is almost completely developed. 15 weeks after conception is when "quickening" occurs. This is when the fetus begins moving on its own. At 22 weeks their lungs gain the ability to breath air. In the 3rd trimester their is a period of rapid brain growth. Then, at 9 months the baby is full term and ready to be delivered.
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