I have learned (here at Answers) that it is possible for a human to have two sets of chromosomes if two zygotes fuse into one, for example. The resulting animal - which could be human - is one of many forms of chemerism. At the same time, much of the debate and doubts around abortion are based on the existence of a soul which grants humans of a special status.
While most or all people agree that killing a 6 or 7 month fetus is as wrong as killing a new born, oppinions begin to diverge as the age of the fetus reduces. At some point in the fetus time-line, being anti-abortion is something only the most radicals agree with: if you think that the pill doesn't prevent fertilization, it is technically a form of abortion of a 2 or 3 day zygote.
On the other hand, if abortion is wrong because life is sacred, when does it become sacred, i.e., when do we get a soul? At conception? So how does chimerism come into play? Do souls fuse? Or do we get souls only at birth? Or are we soul-less?
2006-07-05
07:54:20
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8 answers
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asked by
leblongeezer
5
in
Philosophy