![]() ![]() ![]() Weeks 2-8 : organ systems such as the brain, spinal cord, heart and digestive tube, and certain structural features such as arm and leg buds begin and then continue to develop.At this point, the embryo could not possibly be conscious or feel pain. Day 14 – the first anatomical feature, the so-called ‘primitive streak’, appears in the position in which the backbone will later develop, at about the time that it is also implanted into the uterine wall.Up to about 14 days after fertilization, we cannot even tell if the embryo is going to be one or two individuals, because splitting can take place, leading to the formation of identical twins.Note that the cells that will become the embryo proper are, at this stage, indistinguishable from the cells that will become the placenta and the amniotic sac.In many cases of ectopic pregnancy, a potential medical emergency, the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity. Days 7-10 – the zygote reaches the uterus and is henceforth known as a blastocyst (though the term ‘embryo’ is also appropriate) it has now become a ball of cells.Days 2-3 – the zygote passes through the fallopian tube as cell division increases.Note that a newly pregnant woman will be unaware that fertilization has taken place at this stage or, if an early miscarriage takes place, that the conception was lost. The newly fertilized egg is called a zygote. Day 1 – an ovum or egg is penetrated by sperm and one cell is formed.Spontaneous abortion during the early stages of pregnancy is called ‘miscarriage’.īefore looking at ethical aspects of embryology, it is helpful to know something about how an unborn child develops, as some ethicists draw a line between what is morally acceptable and what isn’t when it comes to beginning of life issues at various points in the development of either the embryo or the fetus.Abortion can be defined as the expulsion of the fetus from the uterus before it can survive on its own.DEFINITION OF ABORTION (REQUIRED FOR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE EMBRYO)
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