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From: twiss@stolaf.UUCP (Thomas S. Twiss)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: re: when does life begin
Message-ID: <2153@stolaf.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Nov-84 15:30:26 EST
Article-I.D.: stolaf.2153
Posted: Tue Nov 13 15:30:26 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 22-Nov-84 07:37:16 EST
Organization: St. Olaf College, Northfield MN
Lines: 39


This is a classic problem in the abortion debate.  It seems ridiculous to
me to try and say that human life begins at the moment of conception.  I am
unable (in my mind) to extend citizenship and rights to two cells.  I would
rather say that such an entity is POTENTIAL life, i.e. it has the potential of
developing into a human being, but it is not yet an autonomous, independent,
relatively self sufficient creature.  But if we say that destroying potential
life is illegal, then all other forms of potential life must fall under these
rubricks.  IUD's (as discussed earlier) prevent potential life, other birth
control forms do the same, male masturbation wastes thousands of potential
lives every time (Hitler eat your heart out!), and for that matter, while
we're outlawing the destruction of all this potential life, we better outlaw
female ovulation because every woman murders 12 innocent potential people
every year!

[sarcasm off]

	The point is that we must think very carefully before making 
a purely emotive judgement on this subject.  We can't always follow what we
think is the "ideal" path.  We must think realistically.  It is impossible
for me to think of a zygote as a human being fully protected under the law,
fully recognized as an independent entity, and one that can support its own
existence.  Now of course some of you may argue that an infant is also 
dependent and not autonomous.  Well, dependent on others for physical needs
(food, protection, shelter, etc.) but it is not BIOLOGICALLY dependent on
another's body for existence as a zygote is.   I would prefer (if I have to
make a choice) to call an embryo a human when it is capable of existing
outside the womb.  At this point it has ceased to be an attachment to the
female and has achieved at least a modicum of independence.
-- 

Tom Twiss @ St. Olaf College
{decvax|ihnp4}!stolaf!twiss

"If the Paradox and the Reason come together in a mutual understanding
of their unlikeliness their encounter will be happy..."

						-Soren Kierkegaard