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Life Begins at Conception
change of residence occurs. As far as reaching a
determination as to when human life begins, there
are no significant changes occurring at birth.
4. At al I stages of development from conception to
adulthood, biochemical identity is present in the
nucleus of each and every cell. At all stages of
development there is structure that is wholly and
only human. Before and after birth an appropriate
environment is always necessary for life to be
supported.
Thus, from conception, the new human being has
a particular identity, oneness, structure, internal
metabolism and relationship to the environment,
and occupies a limited space. These are the basic
elements of the human structure essential to
human life, and their presence clearly establishes
the existence of human life. Without this structure
no human functions can occur.
5. Knowledge of
t~e
activities·and development of
new human life has greatly increased and has been
generally disseminated over the past 17 years.
This recent burgeoning of knowledge concerning
fetal activity and development has occurred
beeause of the more general and experienced use
of ultrasonography in examining and observing the
fetus, and medical-scientific breakthroughs in the .
study of
~mniotic
fluid.
As a result of the more general and experienced
use of ultrasonography, it is now clear that at a
very early age the fetus moves -- and does so with
purpose. The fetus roots, sucks his or her thumb,
arid seeks out a position of comfort allowing for
growth with minimal physical constriction.
Ultrasonography has confirmed and clarified the
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