When do Human Beings Begin? "Scientific" Myths and Scientific Facts
Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D
| The question as to when a human being begins is strictly a scientific
question, and should be answered by human embryologists-not by philosophers,
bioethicists, theologians, politicians, x-ray technicians, movie stars, or
obstetricians and gynecologists. The question as to when a human person
begins is a philosophical question. . .
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A One-Act Drama:The Early Human Embryo:'Scientific'
Myths and Scientific Facts: Implications
for Ethics and Public Policy
Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D
| PLOT: The selected committee members are meeting to debate and
reach an ethical consensus on proposed legislation concerning human cloning
and human embryonic stem cell research. The language of the legislation has
been written by those in attendance. . . .
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Vaccine refusal endangers everyone, not just the unvaccinated
Dr. David M. Gorski
| One of the more frequent claims of antivaccine activists often comes in
the form of a question, usually something like, "If your child is
vaccinated, why are you worried about my children? They don't pose any
danger to you." Of course, the premise behind that question is, ironically,
one that conflicts with the belief that vaccines are ineffective: that
vaccines are so effective that there's no reason for the parents of a
vaccinated child to be concerned if that child comes in contact with another
child with a vaccine-preventable disease. . . .
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