PHI 240: Ethics of Fetal Development & Abortion (Daniels)

You will use the resources presented in this research guide to help you answer the questions posed in the class assignment. If you have questions about how to use the resources listed, or you are having trouble researching, contact a librarian for help. 

Human embryo for IVF (cropped). Credit: K. Hardy. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Abortion Questions - Life or Tissue?

Go to the library and search out information on fetal development, from conception to birth. Research the characteristics of a fetus at conception, 10 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and birth. Also research any information on premature births. You will use this research to help with this week’s assignment.

1. When do you believe human life begins?
    
2. What are the stages of fetal development?
    
3. When does the fetus have a heartbeat, a brain, and its own blood type?
    
4. How early are premature babies born, and how little can they weigh at birth?
    
5. Can a baby be aborted at the same stage of development at which a premature baby can be born?
    
6. What is the ontological status of the fetus?
    
7. When does life begin, based on your findings, and what surprised you the most?

The username and password to access databases from off campus is similar to what you use to access the PCC campus portal (myPittCC) and Moodle. For the username, use the first part of your myPittCC email address only. DO NOT include @my.pittcc.edu. The password is exactly the same as what you use to log in to the campus portal. Generic logins are available to community residents with PCC library cards, and others who are enrolled in or are affiliated with PCC programs and continuing education courses.