When does an embryo or fetus become human??
Elaborate if you will please. Thank you.
2006-10-05 07:27:19 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I like Will's answer.
2006-10-05 07:34:12 · update #1
Thank you all for your answers.
2006-10-05 07:38:51 · update #2
Conception. Enough said! Religious doctrine has nothing to do with it.
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2006-10-05 07:41:00 · answer #1 · answered by Pashur 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't have a religious doctrine on the subject, so this is me-- When the sperm and the egg (two separate living entities) join, they are transformed into one living entity (embryo), the embryo is a human being.
The reason I believe that it's a human being is simple. An embryo requires the same essential things that any other human being requires for survival and eventual development to adulthood: appropriate nutrition and appropriate environmental shelter. The fact that an embryo is located inside another human being doesn't negate the fact of it's individuality or humanity. This is an issue that revolves around the concept of time/age. And the argument gets stronger as the embryo gets older, and more visibly individiated from the mother.
Some argue that self-awareness is necessary, but I don't believe that. The severly brain-damaged may never be any more self aware than we are when we sleep, but I would never say they are not a human being.
And, well, other than the damage to embryo itself, I think it hardens the heart to kill a human being arbitrarily....even a very, very young one. Even if a girl is raped and aborts, it multiplies one tragedy into two.
Also I am assuming that we can all agree that we can recognize the difference between human beings and other creatures after birth. Which may seem insignificant until you consider the issue of cloning and what that may mean in the future. And I have nooooo idea about that whatsoever.
Hoping the best for you...
2006-10-05 15:18:43 · answer #2 · answered by Debra N 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is any actual religious doctrine exactly regarding an embryo or fetus.
Personally, I believe that an embryo is either alive right from the beginning or will be alive shortly after if left unharmed. Therefore, harming or preventing it from taking its natural course would be the same as ending a life.
Having said that, it's not my place to force my opinion on others. I'm sure it helps some people to sleep at night if they can believe that something growing inside of them isn't human until it's born or breathes air. It's not my place to judge.
2006-10-05 14:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My personal opinion is that a fetus / embryo becomes human from the moment of conception. People's views will be based on personal truths. For me, that is my personal truth.
I have heard people comparing it to nothing more than a virus, due to the fact that it cannot survive without optimal surroundings and conditions. Interesting analogy, but a virus cannot evolve and adapt to live outside of the human body.
2006-10-05 14:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by madevali 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An embryo or fetus becomes human when a human egg is fertilized with human sperm. However, if you are asking when a human life begins, I think a human life begins inside a woman's womb. Because I've seen pictures of fetuses sucking their thumbs. And only something alive can perform a voluntary action.
2006-10-05 14:33:21 · answer #5 · answered by superfluity 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I"m Roman Catholic. I believe, whole heartedly, that an embryo becomes a human when sperm and egg meet. In that moment, life is made and a soul enters the newly created child. Yes, I know, there is no scientific evidence of this beyond the fact that when sperm and egg meet, the egg starts to split and form into a human. However, that is what I believe.
2006-10-05 14:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by sister steph 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that a fetus becomes human when it is viable. With todays technology a preemie as little as 20 weeks has a good chance for survival. I would like to see abortions only allowed in the first trimester.
2006-10-05 14:34:27 · answer #7 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist, but I still think life begins at conception. The fact that the fetus still requires nutrient and life support from it's mother does not make it any less alive.
2006-10-05 14:39:01 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Mira♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Conception. All life is created by God and only He should decide who lives and dies.
P s a l m 5 1 : 5 I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
The Bible makes it very clear that life does not begin at birth, but at conception.
2006-10-05 14:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fully developed and capable of surviving outside the womb.
2006-10-05 14:30:09 · answer #10 · answered by trouthunter 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋