For decades medical textbooks have presented the consensus view that biological human life begins at conception.[1] For example, textbook authors Moore and Persaud explain that the very first cell resulting from fertilization “mark[s] the beginning of each of us as a unique individual.”[2] In addition, William Larsen’s textbook on embryology explains that the moment of fertilization “initiate[s] the embryonic development of a new individual.”[3] O’Rahilly and Muller also agree in their textbook that, at the moment of fertilization, “a new genetically distinct human organism is formed.”[4].
Currently in the United States, there are over 500,000 frozen embryos, or “snowflake babies,” waiting for their chance to really live.[5] Did you know that you can adopt a child even before they enter the womb?
The following video gives an overview of embryo adoption . . . and see this video for some interesting information on the monetary implications of embryo adoption.
Photo by The ShutterBabe.
[1] See Nathan Schlueter & Robert H. Bork, Constitutional Persons: An Exchange on Abortion 2, 5-6 (2003), available at http://www.firstthings.com/article/ 2007/06/002-constitutional-persons-an-exchange-on-abortion-13..; ROBERT P. GEORGE & CHRISTOPHER TOLLESFEN, EMBRYO: A DEFENSE OF HUMAN LIFE 47 (2008).
[2] George & Tollesfen, at 47 (citing Keith L. Moore & T.V.N. Persaud, The Developing Human 34 (7th ed. 2003)).
[3] Id. (citing William Larsen, Human Embryology 4 (3rd ed. 2001)).
[4] Id. (citing Ronan O’Rahilly and Fabiola Muller, Human Embryology and Teratology 8 (2001)).
[5] http://www.embryoadoption.org/adoption_agencies/index.cfm
