h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Tapeworms react to their environment in a somewhat more complicated manner than a newly fertilised egg: specifically they react much more to external stimuli.

> "at nine months after conception an embryo has the same consciousness as a newborn child (even more than a pre-born child)"

Umm - at nine months, an embryo may well still be a "pre-born child", if it's birth is late. Which would make it more conscious than itself?? What exactly are you saying here?

norestep, I tired of the abortion debate once before because I wasn't willing to spend too many hours dredging up sources. This isn't to say that I'm annoyed with you at all right now. I'm not. I'm just giving you a warning that I'll only pursue things so far. I've read a lot of books and magazines and have been interested in the subject for over 15 years. Suffice it to say I have an interest in women's health and a good memory.

I went randomly onto the internet under the search term "egg fails to implant in uterus." I found a Southwest Fertility Center page:

"About 80% of those fertilized eggs are lost because of the inefficiencies of the reproductive system. Either the egg is lost due to genetic wastage or pre-embryonic loss. These types of wastage mean that the fertilized egg fails to implant or stay implanted in the uterus for some reason."

The site goes on to mention that failure to implant is one factor in ectopic pregnancies, which can be dangerous if not detected early. The huge majority of instances where the egg fails to implant don't result in ectopic pregnancies, though. I'd give you the URL, but they are forbidden in forum conversations right now.

You'll probably see somewhat varying statistics from different sources, as is typical with women's health and fertility. If you research it much, you'll find that many eggs also don't implant because the uterine lining sheds (during menstruation). This raises the question of culpability for people who have sex just before the woman's period occurs -- thus creating a high probability that the egg will be fertilized and will not implant.

To answer your other question, I do realize the difference. However, it appears I interpret it differently than you do.

I'm too distracted by those knickers to be rational in this forum. Just as well - I almost got involved, then I saw the post-it on my screen which says "Don't Feed The Trolls"

Lucinda:

>>Tapeworms react to their environment in a somewhat more complicated manner than a newly fertilised egg: specifically they react much more to external stimuli.<<

You can't easily see what a zygote (or any cell) does. Just the process of homeostasis (regulation of internal processes despite a varying environment) shows a great degree of reaction to stimuli.

>>What exactly are you saying here?<<

By "pre-born" I meant "born prematurely." Sorry for the confusion. Here's what it should say: "at nine months after conception an embryo has the same consciousness as a newborn child (even more than a premature child).

Fragilis:

>>norestep, I tired of the abortion debate once before because I wasn't willing to spend too many hours dredging up sources.<<

I understand. I simply do not trust statistics. As I always say: "statistics don't lie, but liers use statistics." You can twist any numbers around to prove a point.

Thanks for the more detailed information though. I will look into it later.

On a different note, you said: "I'd give you the URL, but they are forbidden in forum conversations right now." Is it possible that URLs will be allowed in the future? I am getting tired of these new rules.

Regarding URLs in conversations:

The last I heard, the Italics agreed that URLs in conversations would be nice. However, they felt the Moderators would be too burdened with those in addition to their other tasks. Right now, Moderators are still going through very old entries and conversations to clear them for viewing. Perhaps when this task is done, they will be able to handle URLs.

Just a quick response to post 29.
The contraceptive pill that I am currently taking does not prevent a fertilised egg from implanting, it actually stops my body from producing the eggs in the first place.
And, for the record, I was told that I would never conceive a child because of a medical complication. This seemed to be pretty conclusive, yet while on the waiting list for medical help, I conceived my first child {I now have 2 "little miracles"}. As I wanted desperately to have children, this was a blessing for me. However, what if I had not wanted kids?
I am not about to become embroiled in a pro/anti debate, just putting in my 2p worth.

And BTW, I am adopted, and I am Very grateful to my birth mother for making that choice.