Breaking the chain of existence.

Abstract

T he standard textbooks used in medical schools state that human life begins at the time of conception. Bradley Patten's Human Embryology contains a quotation from the famous American biologist F,R. Lillie pertaining to the union of the sperm and the ovum: "The elements that unite are single cells, each on the point of death; but by their union a rejuvenated individual is formed, which constitutes a link in the early procession of life." In Developmental Anatomy, L.B. Arey states that the union of the male and female sex cells "definitely marks the beginning of a new individual." In Essentials of Human Embryology, G.D. Dodds writes that "the fertilization of the egg marks the beginning of a new individual." There are many other authoritative texts which express the same opinion, but these quotes are from books that have been widely used in U.S. schools of medicine. Shettles of Columbia University has stated that "a new composite individual is started at the moment of fertilization. However, to survive this individual needs a very special environment for nine months . . . . there is under normal development a living, definite going concern. To interrupt a pregnancy at any stage is like cutting the link of a chain; the chain is broken no matter where the link is cut." Gordon of the Mayo Clinic has written that, "from the moment of fertilization when the deoxyribose nucleic acids from the spermatozoan and the ovum come together to form the zygote, the pattern of the individual's constitutional development is irrevocably determined . . . . True, environmental influences both during the intrauterine period and after birth modify the individual's constitution and continue to do so right up until his death, but it is at the moment of conception that the individual's capacity to respond to these exogenous influences is established. Even at that early stage the complexity of the living cell is so great that it is beyond our comprehension." There is no new biologic evidence which would alter these realizations. It is true that in recent years we have come to a better understanding of the genetic code, but if in the minds of some this greater knowledge contradicts these biologists, then I can only conclude that familiarity breeds contempt and nothing more. From the moment of the union of the sperm and egg in the human species, 46 chromosomes are present in this single cell. These contain the entire genetic code, which, if not interrupted, will make a human being. This single cell begins to divide rapidly and within a few weeks assumes the recognizable features of man. The heart begins to beat between the 18th and 25th days, and the electroencephalogram, which records brain waves, shows activity by the 40th day. This activity is very much the same measure we employ as a means of determining the end of human life in adults. The little being is breathing within the uterus by the 1 lth to 12th week. During these early weeks it is, of course, dependent upon special life support systems, mainly through the umbilical cord, which is a part of the baby but attached to the mother. By the end of the third month, all of the major organs of the fetus are completely developed, and during the latter two-thirds of its life within the womb there is mostly a process of further growth. It is not capable of independent existence throughout these early months nor after birth at full-term. Independent existence would be extremely difficult in any human subject before at least the age of school attendance. And the question of viability is an ever-changing one. While in 1950 such a human being rarely survived if born before the 30th week of pregnancy, the age at birth at which an infant can survive has graudally decreased through the introduction of sophisticated technical external support systems widely employed in all major medical centers. But dependence continues well after birth, and much has been written in recent years about parental bonding in the early months after the birth of a baby and its importance on the future development. This, too, is an important support system. The current concept of 'personhood' as used in some circles is confusing. In the notorious Dred Scott decision, it was a matter of color. Personhood is not fully achieved until late adolescence. The dramatic changes and the outpouring of " n e w " chemical signals at the time of puberty are just as amazing as the multiplication