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Today, I am discussing a controversial topic that many groups of society approach from different point of views: when does life begin?
First and foremost, I would like to clarify that I am not going to approach this question from the religious point of view. I want to provide some scientific evidence that might help you understand the biological processes that an embryo, fetus, and newborn go through. I will leave the topic of religion to you, to your own believes and how your roots have shaped your thoughts.
After conception (the union of he sperm and the egg), there are many different stages and that take course to form a fetus and a newborn. Some of those stages have been particularly associated with the beginning of life. The following table, in chronological order, encompasses most of those stages.
|
Time After Conception |
Stage |
Description |
| Week 0 | Conception | Union of gametes to form a new human being |
| Week 1 | Gastrulation | Embryo forms germ layers and first cellular differentiation happens |
| Week 1-2 | Implantation | Embryo attaches to the uterus and the placenta starts developing |
| Week 5-6 | Heart beating | Heart starts beating at a regular rhythm |
| Week 26-27 | Fully formed nervous system | Brain, spinal cord and nerves produce impulses and control movement |
| Week 39-42 | Fetus is fully mature | Fetus is able to survive without the mother |
| After birth | Newborn breaths | Newborn is able to survive outside of the womb |
Moreover, there are other scientists that believe that there is not a specific time when life begins. Instead, life takes form in a dynamic way and human life just does not begin, as most religious points of view believe. I however, think that as scientists, we need to provide answers to this question to inform people on how humans develop.
At this point in time, I believe that human life begins at the gastrulation stage. It is in this stage of development when cells start organizing and differentiating to give rise to organs and systems. Also, the cells here start their development in a more coordinated and organized manner. A gastrulated embryo has the potential to move forward to develop a new being. The following picture shows how cells start organizing in the embryo.
My position on this topic might change in the future as I learn and understand better the processes influencing embryonic and fetal development.