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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So are you... and me... etc... just a more complex bag or collection of bags.
What you seem to be suggesting is that any arbitrary developmental milestone is potentially valid
except for the one cell stage.