How Much Living Tissue Makes a Human Life?
July 8th, 2008Pro-Lifers and scientists disagree on when an embryo becomes a human life, is it an fertilized egg, unattached to the uterine wall or is it in the third trimester of a pregnancy, when the fetus becomes viable? If our organs may be transplanted into other people and live on for decades after we are gone, or our brains cryogenically frozen away and revived at some future time, when does life become death?
With this in mind, please take five minutes of your time to read J.R. Blackwell’s short short SF story Inheritance recently posted to 365tomorrows.
But all of the atoms that made up my body the day I was born (conceived, viable, etc.) are no longer in my body. So doesn’t that mean I’m already dead?
You are undead.
Here’s a thread discussing the question of whether our bodies replace all of their cells. It does add an interesting dimension to this line of speculation.
It reminds me of Theseus’ paradox.
Even Better! I found this NPR story interviewing scientists about our atoms being replaced… It goes into atoms that don’t get replaced, teleportation, and eating hamburger. : )
I’m glad you enjoyed my story! This story was, in part, inspired by a story I heard on NPR: Science Friday, about how humans are merging with technology. It made me think about replacing organs, age expectancy and the social implications of a world where death is rare.
Recently, I’ve noticed a theme in my stories emerging about being without a body and changing bodies. I do believe that with medical advancements, many people will be soon living in a world where drastic body changes will be possible.
Great discussion!