If, out of the 200-500m sperm, a different one had 'won the race', would you still be 'you'?

Answer 1

nope you wouldn't exist............Duh...

Answer 2

Of course you wouldn't be you.
Every sperm contains slightly different genetic make up, also add the fact that some are x chromosones and some are y chromosones (GIRL OR BOY).
If you were a x chromosone you would become a girl if you were a y chromosone you would become a boy, so there is no way you would be exactly the same.

edit: jadsdudley is not right, the sperm plays a very big part in the making oof the fetus, while the egg is always an x (girl) the sperm can be either x or y (boy). so, if a x sperm fertalised the egg it would become xx and would be a girl, if it was a y sperm, it would be a xy and would be a boy, so the sperm determines what sex the baby will be.

Answer 3

"you" would be 'you' no matter what sperm won the race. You would likely be a slightly different you, but if all the sperm came from the same source, only the learned parts of you behaviors would/could be different. Don't forget, that egg had 1/2 of the responsibility for the genetic 'you'.

Answer 4

Well given that the only hard evidence we have of what a "self" is you can only conclude that any particular personality is, like the rest of the body, simply the sum of various bio chemical reactions. We are ourselves because of the identity of the chemical reaction that shapes our personality. In that sense I think we have the potential to be somewhat different, although obviously the DNA contributed from both parties would still be the same. Also the environment that the new chemical reaction would be born into would be the same as the one you yourself were born into. I suppose that I am not taking into account any thing outside of the actual biology of said organism but we can not take into account any aspects of philosophy that might shape the argument but then again you can't really argue any aspect of philosophy and find any definitve answers.

Answer 5

The 'You' you talk of is the result of a particular sperm and a particular egg forming a fertilised egg that subsequently developed into a cognitive individual. If another sperm had fertilised the egg the 'You' you perceive yourself to be would not have existed and could therefore provide no basis for comparison with the 'You' that actually developed.

Answer 6

No u would be different .... if this was the case them u would be genetically identical to your brothers/sisters each sperm is unique each person is unique ... identical twins are the only people that share identical genetic information and yet they still have different personalities .... so i say nay .....
plus if it was a diff sperm u may have been a diff sex as well x or y ....

Answer 7

jasdudley is correct. The sperm and the egg contain all the genes of your parents. What matters is the combination of the genes. There is a negligible possiblity that you could end up as you but realistically you'll end up as someone else.

Answer 8

No, but its not the sperm that makes the difference. all sperm carry the same genes, ....what does make the differences (ie. between siblings) is the final combination of genes, the genetic patterning; between the sperm and egg.

Answer 9

Nope

Answer 10

They would be half you because the egg and the swimmer share dna to make the zygote, feteus etc. The personality and upbringing would be different however.

Answer 11

no you'd be a brother or sister of yours genetically. Without the influence of you on their environment they may be quite different personality wise to any siblings you have in this reality.