Sixteen days

J Med Philos. 2003 Feb;28(1):45-78. doi: 10.1076/jmep.28.1.45.14172.

Abstract

When does a human being begin to exist? We argue that it is possible, through a combination of biological fact and philosophical analysis, to provide a definitive answer to this question. We lay down a set of conditions for being a human being, and we determine when, in the course of normal fetal development, these conditions are first satisfied. Issues dealt with along the way include: modes of substance-formation, twinning, the nature of the intra-uterine environment, and the nature of the relation between fetus and mother (connection, parthood, dependence).

MeSH terms

  • Beginning of Human Life*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development*
  • Female
  • Human Characteristics
  • Humans
  • Personhood
  • Philosophy, Medical*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • United States