PHL281H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Spermatozoon, Fetus, Egg Cell
Document Summary
Conception occurs when the male germ cell (spermatozoon) combines with a female germ cell (the ovum), resulting in a single cell zygote. This entity is commonly referred to as an embryo, up until the 8th week of pregnancy. From the 8th week until birth, the developing entity is formally referred to as a fetus. Fetus (as we"ll use it): a term that refers to the developing entity from conception till birth. A fetus is not a philosophical person. Potential personhood argument: abortion is the intentional killing of a potential person, the intentional killing of a potential person is wrong, therefore, abortion is wrong. Abortion can respect the intrinsic value of a human being. It is (presumptively) seriously wrong to kill someone who has a future of value like ours. 1: a fetus has a future of value like ours, abortion kills the fetus, therefore, abortion is a serious (presumptive) moral wrong. A fetus doesn"t have a future of value.
