The Facts of Life: Science and the Abortion ControversyThe question of whether abortion should or should not be permitted, and under what circumstances, is among the most difficult and sometimes anguished decisions for contemporary men and women. How we feel about this issue, and what actions we take, help to define our image of who we are as social beings. In the midst of the surrounding political, ethical, and religious debate, people everywhere are once again examining their conscience and their beliefs, and turning to unutilized sources of information as they seek to come to terms with this contentious issue. And as emotions run high, it is helpful to step back from the highly charged arena to reconsider the underlying scientific facts about human development. In The Facts of Life, Harold Morowitz and James Trefil, two distinguished scientists and science writers, examine what modern biology can contribute to our understanding of this debate. Sensitive to the myriad ethical and religious arguments beyond the realm of science that swirl around abortion, the authors focus on one crucial question--when does a fetus acquire "humanness," that quality that sets us apart from all other living things. From the viewpoint of science, they argue, "humanness" begins with the possession of a highly developed cerebral cortex. While humans are linked via cell structure and cell chemistry with all life on our planet--from monkeys to fruit flies to pumpkins--it is the human brain structure which makes us who we are. Reviewing the latest advances in molecular biology, evolutionary biology, embryology, neurophysiology, and neonatology--fields that all bear on this question--the authors reveal a surprising consensus of scientific opinion on when humanness begins. A lucid primer on the biological aspects of the abortion issue, The Facts of Life is also a fascinating inquiry, across various scientific disciplines, into what makes us uniquely human. Anyone who struggles with the issue of abortion will be grateful to find a work that moves this heated issue from the intensely emotional area it has occupied to the calmer domain of science. |
Contents
The Biology of Conception | 41 |
The Emergence of Humanness | 59 |
The Development of the Fetus | 77 |
Copyright | |
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The Facts of Life: Science and the Abortion Controversy Harold J. Morowitz,James Trefil No preview available - 1994 |
Common terms and phrases
abortion controversy abortion debate acquired humanness acquisition of humanness adult amino acids amphibians ancestors animals argument axon basic biological biologists birth blastocyst blood body bouton brain stem branching buman called capillaries cerebellum cerebral cortex CEREBRUM Chapter chemical reactions chimpanzee clotting complex conception connections discuss embryo energy eukaryotes eventually evolution evolutionary example fact fertilization fetus Figure function genes George Mason University gestational age hominids Homo sapiens human brain implant important individual infant alive living things Lucy lungs mammals membrane million years ago modern humans molecules nerve cells nerve signal nervous system nucleus onset of humanness organisms parthenogenesis percent period person personhood placenta plants potential pregnancy premature infants primates problem produce prokaryotes protein question reptiles scientific scientists share simple single-celled sort soul species sperm spinal structure survivability synapses term third trimester tion unfertilized egg uterus vertebrates voltage wall weeks zygote