Michael Asciak

Syngamy or Karyogamy?: Interfaces Between Ethics and Science in Human Fertilisation Michael Asciak

Syngamy or Karyogamy? Interfaces between Ethics and Science It is often discussed whether the human being exists at the beginning of the process of fertilisation as soon as the sperm cell penetrates the ovum, or whether this occurs at some later stage particularly when the two pronuclei of both gametes have fused and they then form a new zygote, that is towards the end of the fertilisation process. Opinions on this issue vary enormously especially since the whole process of fertilisation or conception lasts about twenty-four hours and the only two landmarks available for verification, are when the process actually starts and when it ends. There is in effect, no moment of conception, but rather a process. In order to answer this question one must first of all set the scientific parameters within which one has to work. This includes both biological empirical data and those regarding time and space. One must also deal with the philosophical discussions surrounding this enigma such as ontogeny and potential with a look at philosophy of process to throw light on a subject having strong applicable and ethical ramifications. the issue of resolution of doubt is also a matter taken in hand