First off Biblically everything I found in the Bible points to life starting in the womb. I also studied animals and how they come about, then I also looked into cloning which does not require fertilization. Then I dove deep into the studies on implanting and what comes of that. Then I searched in the pro-life movement and found that an estimated 10-20% of people feel this way and there is a doc in the pro-life movement (named Dr. John Merritt,) who feels that life begins at implantation. He wrote several papers and books that really make since to me.
2 things happens at implantation. First as soon as the embryo touches the wall of the uterus it chemically changes and changes the body instantly to start sending out the pg single. Also instantly the body immediately sends out fingers of blood vessels and blood immediately starts reaching that embryo. There is also a ton of other things that indicate life at that moment of contact that the doc in the pro life movement goes into.
another tidbit breast feeding prevents implantation due to the lower hormones. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1521642?dopt=Abstract Also women who breast feed prevent more implantionas than women who use an iud. here are more studies:
Bible verses that say blood is LIFE:
- Leviticus 17:11
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.
- Leviticus 17:14
because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, "You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off."
- Deuteronomy 12:23
But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
Bible verses that say life starts in the womb:
1. Genesis 20:18
for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.
Genesis 20:17-18 (in Context) Genesis 20 (Whole Chapter)
2. Genesis 25:23
The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."
Genesis 25:22-24 (in Context) Genesis 25 (Whole Chapter)
3. Genesis 25:24
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.
Genesis 25:23-25 (in Context) Genesis 25 (Whole Chapter)
4. Genesis 29:31
[ Jacob's Children ] When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
Genesis 29:30-32 (in Context) Genesis 29 (Whole Chapter)
5. Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.
Genesis 30:21-23 (in Context) Genesis 30 (Whole Chapter)
6. Genesis 38:27
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.
Genesis 38:26-28 (in Context) Genesis 38 (Whole Chapter)
7. Genesis 49:25
because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Genesis 49:24-26 (in Context) Genesis 49 (Whole Chapter)
8. Exodus 13:2
"Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal."
Exodus 13:1-3 (in Context) Exodus 13 (Whole Chapter)
9. Exodus 13:12
you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
Exodus 13:11-13 (in Context) Exodus 13 (Whole Chapter)
10. Exodus 13:15
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.'
Exodus 13:14-16 (in Context) Exodus 13 (Whole Chapter)
11. Exodus 34:19
"The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.
Exodus 34:18-20 (in Context) Exodus 34 (Whole Chapter)
12. Numbers 12:12
Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away."
Numbers 12:11-13 (in Context) Numbers 12 (Whole Chapter)
13. Numbers 18:15
The first offspring of every womb, both man and animal, that is offered to the LORD is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.
Numbers 18:14-16 (in Context) Numbers 18 (Whole Chapter)
14. Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.
Deuteronomy 7:12-14 (in Context) Deuteronomy 7 (Whole Chapter)
15. Deuteronomy 28:4
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Deuteronomy 28:3-5 (in Context) Deuteronomy 28 (Whole Chapter)
16. Deuteronomy 28:11
The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
Deuteronomy 28:10-12 (in Context) Deuteronomy 28 (Whole Chapter)
17. Deuteronomy 28:18
The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Deuteronomy 28:17-19 (in Context) Deuteronomy 28 (Whole Chapter)
18. Deuteronomy 28:53
Because of the suffering that your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the LORD your God has given you.
Deuteronomy 28:52-54 (in Context) Deuteronomy 28 (Whole Chapter)
19. Deuteronomy 28:57
the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For she intends to eat them secretly during the siege and in the distress that your enemy will inflict on you in your cities.
Deuteronomy 28:56-58 (in Context) Deuteronomy 28 (Whole Chapter)
20. Deuteronomy 30:9
Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers,
Deuteronomy 30:8-10 (in Context) Deuteronomy 30 (Whole Chapter)
21. 1 Samuel 1:5
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.
1 Samuel 1:4-6 (in Context) 1 Samuel 1 (Whole Chapter)
22. 1 Samuel 1:6
And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
1 Samuel 1:5-7 (in Context) 1 Samuel 1 (Whole Chapter)
23. Job 1:21
and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 1:20-22 (in Context) Job 1 (Whole Chapter)
24. Job 3:10
for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.
Job 3:9-11 (in Context) Job 3 (Whole Chapter)
25. Job 3:11
"Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?
Job 3:10-12 (in Context) Job 3 (Whole Chapte
26. Job 10:18
"Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eye saw me.
Job 10:17-19 (in Context) Job 10 (Whole Chapter)
27. Job 10:19
If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!
Job 10:18-20 (in Context) Job 10 (Whole Chapter)
28. Job 15:35
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit."
Job 15:34-35 (in Context) Job 15 (Whole Chapter)
29. Job 24:20
The womb forgets them, the worm feasts on them; evil men are no longer remembered but are broken like a tree.
Job 24:19-21 (in Context) Job 24 (Whole Chapter)
30. Job 31:15
Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?
Job 31:14-16 (in Context) Job 31 (Whole Chapter)
31. Job 38:8
"Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
Job 38:7-9 (in Context) Job 38 (Whole Chapter)
32. Job 38:29
From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
Job 38:28-30 (in Context) Job 38 (Whole Chapter)
33. Psalm 22:9
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.
Psalm 22:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 22 (Whole Chapter)
34. Psalm 22:10
From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Psalm 22:9-11 (in Context) Psalm 22 (Whole Chapter)
35. Psalm 58:3
Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.
Psalm 58:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 58 (Whole Chapter)
36. Psalm 71:6
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
Psalm 71:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 71 (Whole Chapter)
37. Psalm 110:3
Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.
Psalm 110:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 110 (Whole Chapter)
38. Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:12-14 (in Context) Psalm 139 (Whole Chapter)
39. Proverbs 30:16
the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, 'Enough!'
Proverbs 30:15-17 (in Context) Proverbs 30 (Whole Chapter)
40. Proverbs 31:2
"O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
Proverbs 31:1-3 (in Context) Proverbs 31 (Whole Chapter)
41. Ecclesiastes 5:15
Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.
Ecclesiastes 5:14-16 (in Context) Ecclesiastes 5 (Whole Chapter)
42. Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 (in Context) Ecclesiastes 11 (Whole Chapter)
43. Isaiah 44:2
This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
Isaiah 44:1-3 (in Context) Isaiah 44 (Whole Chapter)
44. Isaiah 44:24
[ Jerusalem to Be Inhabited ] "This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
Isaiah 44:23-25 (in Context) Isaiah 44 (Whole Chapter)
45. Isaiah 49:5
And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-
Isaiah 49:4-6 (in Context) Isaiah 49 (Whole Chapter)
46. Isaiah 66:9
Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
Isaiah 66:8-10 (in Context) Isaiah 66 (Whole Chapter)
47. Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah 1:4-6 (in Context) Jeremiah 1 (Whole Chapter)
48. Jeremiah 20:17
For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever.
Jeremiah 20:16-18 (in Context) Jeremiah 20 (Whole Chapter)
49. Jeremiah 20:18
Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?
Jeremiah 20:17-18 (in Context) Jeremiah 20 (Whole Chapter)
50. Hosea 9:14
Give them, O LORD— what will you give them? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry.
Hosea 9:13-15 (in Context) Hosea 9 (Whole Chapter)
51. Hosea 12:3
In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.
Hosea 12:2-4 (in Context) Hosea 12 (Whole Chapter)
52. Hosea 13:13
Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.
Hosea 13:12-14 (in Context) Hosea 13 (Whole Chapter)
53. Luke 1:41
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:40-42 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
54. Luke 1:44
As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luke 1:43-45 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
55. Luke 23:29
For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
Luke 23:28-30 (in Context) Luke 23 (Whole Chapter)
56. John 3:4
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
John 3:3-5 (in Context) John 3 (Whole Chapter)
57. Romans 4:19
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
Romans 4:18-20 (in Context) Romans 4 (Whole Chapter)
websites that explain the process of implantation. note that blood flow to the egg happens the millisecond that the blastosist touches the wall. In fact many things begin when that happens. Up to this point it is the blastosist is just dna (although it does release a tiny single right before touching the wall, which is the only thing that makes me question implantation). But if the blast is in a peteri dish it never makes that single. http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/notes/week2_3.htm
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1289292
i wonder if it makes it with an iud? either way I still believe life starts at touch down) ahh, ok upon further research of LIF, EGF and IL-1 i see that the uterus makes the first signal and it triggers the blast to respond.. thus to me this indicates it takes a uterus to start life
So when does life begin for animals and plants?
Plants:
The acorn.. is it an oat tree or an acorn? It has the potential of becoming an oat tree but it is not an oat tree. It is oat tree dna. Once you "im" plant the acorn in to the ground it starts the process of life and becomes an oat tree. This can be applied to almost all plants.
Some plants clone themselves. Are they less of a life as an oat tree? Nope! They don't need fertilization to be life
Animals:
The female turkey can clone herself. She does not need sperm to make babies. Like the chicken she still needs to sit on them (similar to implantation) but she does not need a male turkey.
Several lizards do not need sperm to have babies. they can clone themselves as well: whiptails, geckos, rock lizards, blindsnakes and Komodo dragons
There are also fish that clone themselves. A exclusively-female fish species have cloned themselves from the begining of time. They do not need sperm to reproduce.
can this be applied to humans?
I think it can be. Because there is order to nature and life.
interesting blog
http://everybodyhasone.blogspot.com/2007/12/does-life-begins-at-implantation.html
What difference does it make where the DNA came from?
I dont think it makes a difference. I think its just dna and can only become a life once implanted. For people who believe life starts at fertilization they feel life starts when the male sperm enters into the female egg and the dna intermingle. Interesting information I found yesterday; some people dont feel that life starts at fertilization or implantation; but rather when the dna intermix; which doesn not happen instantly.
A cloned embryo is simply doing artificially exactly what happens naturally when identical twinning occurs.
not quite. the end process is just like the identical twinning. But to get to that process it is more complicated. So do you think that the clones life began at the end of the cloning process? in the middle or in the beginning?
And what about in Europe. Over there they are working on making a artificial womb to place blasts in. These blasts will be altered to only grow body parts to use in transplants. So a baby with no head or other parts will be created just to harvest organs. Will these embryos be life and have a sole? I really dont know. But in my book I think since it will be implanted into the artificial uterus that they will be life and this shouldn't be done. But this is a really big grey area for me
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_uterus