Letter: When life begins

Sir: If Andrew Brown has a problem with finding a clear enough meaning for the term "human being", why doesn't he simply apply the definition "a member of the species Homo Sapiens Sapiens"?

That gives one a (primarily genetic) definition which applies regardless of development, or of specifics in aptitude or quality at any particular biological age.

Most importantly, it scotches the notion that there is some developmental stage at which we acquire humanity.

We don't become human beings, we are human beings by virtue of our genetic inheritance.

This is not a religious or Christian point. I am a hard-line atheist, but think it only rational to say that a fertilised egg is a human being - it's just a very young one.

C A BANKS

London SE6