Some Ethical Considerations Concerning Abortion and the Development of Human Consciousness

Most biology students have heard the phrase “ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.” Put simply, this means that the stages of development of a fertilized human egg into a newborn baby (ontogeny) can, to some extent, superficially resemble the evolution of humans from primitive single celled microorganisms (phylogeny). Regardless of the scientific validity of that statement, we can ask at what stage of human development, either ontogeny or phylogeny, does conscious awareness and “personhood” occur? Fred Breidt will lead a discussion about human consciousness and how fetal brain development may help inform ethical considerations about abortion, in vitro fertilization, and the difference between being alive and being a person.

This meeting is a Zoom “hybrid” meeting.  We will meet at our regular venue, Extraordinary Ventures, where the program will take place.  We will also Zoom the program.    If you wish to attend via Zoom, please use our contact form to make the request.