NIH: human organism begins at fertilization

My readers know that I have said this a thousand times, but it never seems to penetrate the skulls of some who are for embryo destructive research.  They cry that an embryo is only a clump of cells and to call it a human organism is religious sophistry.

It is they who are committing the sophistry by claiming that a human organism does not begin at fertilization.  A new human organism begins at fertilization.  That is a biological fact, not a religious tenet.

Tired of doing battle with those so high on their science that they cannot see their own bias, namely those that argue that an embryo is somehow not a human organism, Wesley Smith has uncovered the National Institutes of Health (NIH) definition of an embryo:

Embryo—In humans, the developing organism from the time of fertilization until the end of the eighth week of gestation, when it is called a fetus.

What I find particular sad about having to argue whether or not a human embryo is a new human life is that is distracts from the REAL, more difficult issue: whether that life has value or deserves protection under the law.  That is the true debate and one worth having.

So let me be clear.  It IS my religious and personal belief that ALL human organisms have value and deserve protection under the law regardless of their stage of development.  That happens to include embryos because, by scientific definition, they are human organisms.

So a tip for all who want to argue with me or anyone that human life does not begin at fertilization because you are for research that destroys embryos.  What you are really wanting to say is that it is your opinion that the human life that begins at fertilization does not have enough value to be protected under the law and therefore can and should be used for research.  See, you are instantly smarter!

You're welcome.