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From: owens@gatech.UUCP (Gerald R. Owens)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Human rights for ova! - (nf)
Message-ID: <6411@gatech.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Apr-84 12:49:30 EST
Article-I.D.: gatech.6411
Posted: Mon Apr 23 12:49:30 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 24-Apr-84 19:26:51 EST
References: <1296@inmet.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Tech School of ICS, Atlanta
Lines: 35

<food>
Mr. chambers does not need a theo student to explain why we shouldn't
consider an ovum on the same level as a zygote.  It's simple biology: an
ovum has only HALF the number of cromosomes to develop a human being, and
inherently cannot develop as a human being on its own.  It is certainly
of human origin, and is certainly alive, but ALL humans have 46 cromosomes,
and the pro-life people are apparently saying that that is what defines
humanity.  Therefore, they oppose the forcible termination of a
NATURALLY developing human being that had nothing to do with the
circumstances that got a spermazoon to that ovum.  If religion MUST be
admitted into the argument, then one finds that although there are
differences on how valuable one views life in general, human beings
rank at the top in the majority of them, with plant life clearly allowed
as food.  None, to my knowledge, considers half-human cells like spermazoa
or ova, to be on the same status, although there may be some tribe
somewhere that does.  Mr. Chambers may presume to speak for the Gods,
but I doubt it :-).

By the way, it has been mentioned in earlier articles that the pill does
not prevent fertilization, but prevents implantation of the already
fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus.  This, indeed, is a VERY
pertinent point, and if a pro-lifer truly believes that humanity is
determined that early, then they shouldn't use the pill.  Does anyone
know if the IUD works the same way? (I think it does, but I'm not sure)
This suggests that barrier methods should be used.  Also, if I remember
my biology correctly, the ovum allows only ONE spermazoon to fertilize
it, erecting some sort of barrier to prevent the others from adding
too many genes the moment one DOES penetrate it.  I am wondering if
some sort of enzyme or protein could be concocted to make the ovum
erect the barrier and thus prevent fertilization using it's own
devices.  Any ideas?

				Gerald Owens
				Owens@gatech