An Argument premise 1 premise 2 conclusion It is always wrong to kill a human life premise 2 Human life begins at conception conclusion Abortion is therefore always wrong

When does human life begin? premise 2 Human life begins at conception When does human life begin?

Roman Catholic View Belief: At conception When sperm and egg unite Reasons: The fertilized egg has all of the genetic material of a human being Take the fertilized egg out Put it in a cow What will it grow into?

against the Roman Catholic view Isn’t an oak tree An acorn http://www.jsr.communitech.net/joan/summer_oak.jpg An acorn has the potential to be an oak

QUICKENING A Muslim View When the soul enters the body First kick Reasons: There is no or little physical difference between a dead & alive human The soul is created by God and our ‘real self’. Our bodies are simply cells.

against this Muslim view No scientific evidence that the soul enters at the first kick No scientific evidence of a soul Faith http://www.jsr.communitech.net/joan/summer_oak.jpg There ARE physical differences between a dead & an alive body

A Medical View Human life begins when an embryo can survive outside the womb May be 20-22 weeks

Against this Medical View Dependent on technology In ancient times, a baby born at (say) 30 weeks wouldn’t be a human Now, a baby born at (say) 22 weeks may be able to survive In the future… A thing is either a human or not, and technology has little to do with it.

Are there any other possibilities? Write one sentence to summarise your thoughts on this issue When does human life begin? Finish for homework