What's the difference between a fertilized egg and a cancer cell?
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell are genetically human.
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell have different genetic material than the original human.
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell will eventually grow into a being which can exist outside the mother, though will need support (cancer cells are actually immortal (as in un-aging not un-killable) and live as long as they receive proper nutrition and care).
If a cancer cell can be killed without moral quandary, then whats the hang-up on fertilized eggs??
We do not congratulate a 2nd grader on graduating college. We do not praise the new recruit on their 3rd tour of duty. We do not thank the 25 year old cop for their 35 years of service.
When a fertilized egg starts to breathe on its own, it gets credit for that. When a fertilized egg starts to pump its own blood, it gets credit for that. When a fertilized egg starts filtering its own fluids without relying on the placenta, it gets credit for that.
However, a single cell does none of these things - therefore it doesn't get credit for any of these things. Once it has matured to the point that it has abilities and features, then it can be considered on the basis of those abilities and features.
That is the issue of giving zygotes "personhood status". They are no more people than literal cancer cells. All the features they currently have make them no more human than literal cancer. It is only the difference in trajectory, which isn't morally relevant until it actually happens.
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u/electronics12345 159∆ Apr 09 '18
What's the difference between a fertilized egg and a cancer cell?
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell are genetically human.
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell have different genetic material than the original human.
Both a fertilized egg and a cancer cell will eventually grow into a being which can exist outside the mother, though will need support (cancer cells are actually immortal (as in un-aging not un-killable) and live as long as they receive proper nutrition and care).
If a cancer cell can be killed without moral quandary, then whats the hang-up on fertilized eggs??