When Did I Begin? : Conception of the Human Individual in History, Philosophy and Science
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Ford's book is a work of major significance ...' Kevin Kelly, The Tablet
'When Did I Begin? is, without doubt, a most important contribution to the determination of the moment at which the human individual begins ... accessible to anyone wishing to take an intelligent interest in its subject.' John Keefe, Month
' ... scholarly, thoughtful and rewarding.' John Ellard, Modern Medicine of Australia
Book Description
When Did I Begin? investigates the theoretical, moral, and biological issues surrounding the debate over the beginning of human life. With the continuing controversy over the use of in vitro fertilization techniques and experimentation with human embryos, these issues have been forced into the arena of public debate. Following a detailed analysis of the history of the question, Reverend Ford argues that a human individual could not begin before definitive individuation occurs with the appearance of the primitive streak about two weeks after fertilization. This, he argues, is when it becomes finally known whether one or more human individuals are to form from a single egg. Thus, he questions the idea that the fertilized egg itself could be regarded as the beginning of the development of the human individual. The author also differs sharply, however, from those who would delay the beginning of the human person until the brain is formed, or until birth or the onset of conscious states.
When Did I Begin?: Conception of the Human Individual in History, Philosophy and Science,Norman Ford,Mary Warnock,Cambridge University Press,0521424283,General,Life Sciences - Biology - General,Philosophy,Science,Science/Mathematics,Human biology,Science / Biology
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