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Marquis argues it is wrong to kill fetuses as they are potential person. He says contraception is equally wrong because sperm & ova is also potential person. Answer to this is sperm & ova separately can't create future person. Sex cells are manifestly not whole, or complete organism, not only genetically, but also functionally, identifiable as parts of male or female potential parents. Sperms are destined to either combine with an ovum or die. Somatic cells, skin cells, muscle cells, like sex cells function only part of a large organism while human embryo possesses from beginning active disposition to develop himself to full maturity, in suitable environment & nutrition. So human embryo is not distinct from human being. He is not an individual of any nonhuman or inter mediate species. It is in early stage of development. In abortion what is killed is human being, a whole living member of species of homo sapiens. The fertilized human ovum even youngest human embryo has body which has specified undeveloped capacities opt for understanding knowing & choosing. It even has biological capacity appropriate to supporting specific human specific human operations such as self consciousness, rationality & choice. So he is human being & human person with potential & not merely potential human person or potential human being.
So According to Norman Fort unlike Tooley & Donceal personhood begins when an individual with a truly human nature begins at fertilization.
At fertilization an ontologically individual & biologically human entity the zygote begins genetic constitution & gender will begin about 16 days later & will thereafter survive as one & the same individual until death. The one cell human organism originating with the substantial change which occurs upon the penetration of human ovum by human sperm develops as one & the same individual. 1. Every attempt to harm innocent person violates nonmaleficence & justice. Intention of killing an unborn child or terminating its development is an attempt to harm even if carried out with reluctance & regret. 2. Killing either as an end as chosen means to some other end is always gravely wrong. 3. Every living human individual has right to life. 4. Every living human individual must be regarded & treated as a person. 5. Every innocent human person has right never to be killed. Human fetuses & infants has right to life. 6. The unborn can never be considered as aggressor for the concept of aggression involves action. 7. Anyone who commands directs advices, encourages, prescribes, approves or defends say if doctor refers consultant for abortion is immoral.
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