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A Biological Definition of the Human Embryo

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Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos

Part of the book series: Philosophy and Medicine ((CSBE,volume 111))

Abstract

Attempts to define what an embryo is and when it comes into being face significant challenges due to the complexity of human development. Unlike mature humans, embryos are constantly in flux, with their composition and form changing dramatically over time. No obvious property or action defines an embryo at all stages of development.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Thomas Berg and Christian Brugger for critical comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by a grant from the NIH, R01NS048382.

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Correspondence to Maureen L. Condic .

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Condic, M.L. (2011). A Biological Definition of the Human Embryo. In: Napier, S. (eds) Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos. Philosophy and Medicine(), vol 111. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1602-5_11

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