When Did I Begin? (Conception of the Human Individual in History, Philosophy and Science)

Ford, Norman

ISBN 10: 0521424283 / ISBN 13: 9780521424288

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1991

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: When Did I Begin? (Conception of the Human Individual in History, Philosophy and Science)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521424283
• ISBN 13: 9780521424288
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Like New
• Book Type: book

About this title

Synopsis

When Did I Begin? investigates the theoretical, moral, and biological issues surrounding the debate over the beginning of human life. With the continuing controversy over the use of in vitro fertilization techniques and experimentation with human embryos, these issues have been forced into the arena of public debate. Following a detailed analysis of the history of the question, Reverend Ford argues that a human individual could not begin before definitive individuation occurs with the appearance of the primitive streak about two weeks after fertilization. This, he argues, is when it becomes finally known whether one or more human individuals are to form from a single egg. Thus, he questions the idea that the fertilized egg itself could be regarded as the beginning of the development of the human individual. The author also differs sharply, however, from those who would delay the beginning of the human person until the brain is formed, or until birth or the onset of conscious states.

Book Description

Continuing controversy over the use of in vitro fertilization techniques and experimentation with human embryos has forced investigations of the theoretical, moral, and biological issues surrounding the origins of human life into public debate.