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Sixteen days.

Barry Smith1, Berit Brogaard

  • 1Institute for Formal Ontology and Medical Information Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. phismith@buffalo.edu

The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|April 26, 2003
PubMed
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This study defines when human existence begins by analyzing biological development and philosophical conditions. It establishes criteria for human personhood during fetal development.

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Bioethics

Background:

  • The question of when human existence begins is a complex philosophical and biological issue.
  • Existing definitions often lack a clear, scientifically grounded criterion for human personhood.
  • Understanding the onset of human existence has significant ethical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a definitive answer to the question of when a human being begins to exist.
  • To establish a set of conditions for being a human being based on biological and philosophical analysis.
  • To determine the precise stage in fetal development when these conditions are first met.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of biological facts regarding fetal development with philosophical analysis.
Keywords:
Genetics and ReproductionPhilosophical Approach

Related Experiment Videos

  • Establishment of criteria for human personhood.
  • Examination of key developmental stages and biological processes.

    • Main Results:

    • Identification of specific biological and philosophical conditions that define a human being.
    • Determination of the point in normal fetal development when these conditions are met.
    • Analysis of related issues such as substance-formation, twinning, and the fetus-mother relationship.

    Conclusions:

    • A definitive answer to when human existence begins is achievable through interdisciplinary analysis.
    • The study provides a framework for understanding human personhood from conception.
    • This work contributes to ongoing debates in bioethics and developmental biology.