When Does Human Life Begin?

When Does Human Life Begin?

When does human life begin? This is a question that has been argued for years, by medical professionals, mothers, fathers, and politicians. Any biologist in the world can answer when does life begin very simply.  Donna J Harrison M.D., states, “A mammal’s life begins when the sperm from the father unites with the egg from the mother.  However, answering the question, “When does human life begin?”, is much more debated among society. A better understanding of this question would be to ask, “When is a human considered a person?”

                The most practical answer to this question has been known as, the ability to survive outside the body defines when a sustainable human life begins. If that is the most practical answer, then why do so many states have different limits on pregnancy for what is a legal time limit for abortion? Arkansas abortion is at 12 weeks, New York at 24-26 weeks. Oklahoma and many others at 20 weeks or 22 if it is to save the life of the mother. The state of Colorado is at 34 weeks. Oregon, has no time limits at all on allowing an abortion to take place by mother’s consent, yet they have a ‘No Kill’ Law against animals in a shelter. Meaning, they do not euthanize animals in the state of Oregon, nor will they perform a spayed operation if they find the animal is already pregnant, at the time of procedure. How could the state find that human life does not begin until birth and yet animals at conception? Each state base their laws by when they deem life as a human, or can live outside the womb. So when does human life begin? I believe human life starts at conception. From a deeper religious stand point Life has always been in existence and will be after death. From a scientific stand point, human life does begin at conception. Every science book is exact when it talks of the cycle of life, yet so many deem their laws on their own opinions and not facts.

As we look at the facts, at conception, both sperm and egg are living viable parts of male and female. If a female egg is not fertilized, the living egg then sheds itself and loses life. This is known as a women’s menstrual cycle. If an egg is fertilized then, a direct quote from a college science book titled ‘Life’ states, “Pronuclei merge, within 12 hours. After fertilization, the packets of DNA from male and female.” In 12 hours the sex of the human has already been determined.

As we go further into the time table of development we discover that the embryo implants itself in the first week.  On day 18 a heartbeat is found. These two facts lead to rule of the72 after hour pill and the argument, if you are pronounced dead when your heart stops, shouldn’t you be considered living, when it starts to beat? A very good point, yet even those that have had no pulse have been brought back to life and their hearts did beat again.   Therefore, I will state again that human life begins at conception.

                At 22 weeks, a fetus is now considered viable outside the womb, meaning if you lose the fetus before this time period it is considered a miscarriage, if you lose the child after this week it is considered a premature birth. This is the basis for many state laws on whether or not it is legal to perform abortions at 20 weeks or earlier.

                When we dig deeper we learn that the menstrual cycle of women is all about creating life and losing life. As women ovulate, our living eggs are getting ready, and even hopeful, at the chance of being fertilized. The egg needs the sperm to continue to grow and become an embryo then a fetus, then a baby is born into the world. All different stages of growth, yet all living stages. Just as a child grows and changes outside the womb, the same living being grows and changes before birth.

                Human life is viable at every stage after conception, and in reality, the potential for human life begins beforehand. During the nine months of pregnancy and all the days after birth, there is the chance of losing life.  Life lost can be by miscarriage, premature birth, still born, and even SIDS, has a critical time after birth. Each of us are awaiting the time that we do indeed die. Death is just as much a part of life as living is.

The physical loss at any stage, even during the menstrual cycle, can cause emotional loss for the woman. The woman who is bringing this life to pass has feelings and reactions to each of these stages in life. Why? Because eggs, are living even before conception, so therefore life is always in existence. In most religious stands, life begins before you are even born. Religious view point aside, there are enough scientific facts to prove that the potential for life starts, before conception. However, at conception, is the starting point of being human.  Human life beings at conception.