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From: archiel@hercules.UUCP (Archie Lachner)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: definitions
Message-ID: <177@hercules.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-Apr-84 18:40:30 EST
Article-I.D.: hercules.177
Posted: Wed Apr 25 18:40:30 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Apr-84 08:22:33 EST
References: <837@psuvm.UUCP> <6413@gatech.UUCP> <1968@tekig.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 22

In Japanese culture, I think I heard once, a person's age is counted
from the moment of conception, not birth.  Would more knowledgeable
people on the net please comment?

Also, if the "moment of humanness" is at birth, what does one make of
birth by Caesarean section?  Does the surgical interference with the
birth process change the "humanness" of the fetus.  When does the fetus
become a human being?  When the incision is made?  When the baby is
actually removed from the womb?  When the decision to do the surgery
is made?  When the procedure starts?  This concept of a fetus to human
transition at birth is difficult to deal with here.  Because of C-sections,
this definition could be made subjective.  I don't think it's a workable
one because of this consideration.
-- 

				Archie Lachner
				Logic Design Systems Division
				Tektronix, Inc.

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