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Politics : The Trump Presidency
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To: Lane3 who wrote (81376)7/4/2018 3:29:23 PM
From: Katelew  Read Replies (2) of 353970
 
<<Then define the scientific basis for when something becomes a person.

I've told you that it's when it first breathes air--when it is operating as a distinct entity in its intended environment. Science categorizes things. Science differentiates between chickens and eggs, between seeds, the plant that springs from the seed, and the fruit that grows on the plant. A radish seed is not a radish. Nor is a radish plant. A radish is a radish. Logically, a born zygote is a person.>>

If the ability to breathe on its own is what demarcates personhood from non-personhood, then what do you do with:

A 9 month old fetus that is born naturally but unable to breathe on its own.

An 8 month, 7 month, 6 month, 5 month fetus in similar state.

A two year old toddler at the bottom of a swimming pool.

A 40 year old man lying on the floor of a burning apartment.

A 60 year old woman choked by a piece of steak at a 4th of July barbecue.

Are none of the above scientifically categorized as persons?

Also, your plant analogies break down in your argument. The reason is that the plant that grows from a seed can't be categorized as anything until it has become fertilized. Corn is not corn until that tall stalk of leaves is fertilized. At that point, a miniscule ear of corn is formed. Picked too early it is an inedible ear of corn, but in terms of scientific classification it is an ear of corn from the point of fertilization on.
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