According to Gilbert et. al. (2005) Bioethics and the New Embryology:-
There are at least 4 stages of human development that different scientists have asked us to consider as the point at where human life begins-
(a) Fertilization (the acquisition of a complete and novel genome)
(b) Gastrulation (the acquisition of an individual physical entity)
(c) EEG activation (the acquisition of the human-specific electroencephalogram, or brain wave pattern)
(d) The time of, or surrounding, birth (the acquisition of independent breathing and viability outside the mother)
Do classmates agree on the above, and know about the days or weeks after conception for reaching the above stages?
There are other more detailed sub-stages to be discussed later.
I want make an interesting similar parallel to this scientific view. From philosophical point of view, as expressed by Jonathan Glover in Causing Death and Saving Lives,when does one becoms a person?
ReplyDelete(a) Conception: The argument in favour of conception as the moment at which one starts being a person is that for the first time the genetic ingredients of the future adults are together in one unit.
(b) Viability: The argument for viability is obvious. At this point we have for the first time a potentially independent creature.
(c) Birth: It is at birth that baby is accepted into the community and we start to detect the first signs of its distinct personality.
Glover says any attempt to draw a sharp line marking the onset of state of being a person is bound to be arbitary. Is the scientist's view on the point where human life begins is also arbitary?