Quote:
Originally Posted by Canada 02
as a scientist, I have a problem with that definiton. Researchers culture human cells all the time. Billions of them in a little petri dish. Every single cell possesses all the necessary DNA required to develop.
I don't know where the line should be drawn. I've heard arguements from some academics (doctors/embryologists/bioethicists) who say when there is a heartbeat; others say much earlier when the primitive streak forms, or the neural tube forms or when the neural tube closes. The line should not be at the one cell stage. There are no human characteristics in a single cell - it is just a bag of chemicals and biomolecules.
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I suppose people can argue basically forever (and have done so) as to 'when' life begins.
The fact is, abortion isn't a new reality. Women have been having 'abortions' since the beginning of time. Whether they used certain herbal concoctions or saw the 'back alley' doctors, 'abortion' is not going to stop no matter how illegal or legal it is, no matter what anyone's religion says, no matter what scientists say- no matter what.
It's really a useless debate IMO.
Partial birth abortion is different. Only a few doctors do it in the US, and it's not easy for women in their third trimester, who would otherwise have viable babies, to have abortions without their help. I think it's murder, and I think most people agree.