On the origin of species: a response to "Crossing species boundaries" by Jason Scott Robert and Francoise Baylis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
Paul Copland
Publications and source records attributed to Paul Copland.
Science and ethics must not be separated.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bioethics↗
The bioethical structure of a human being.
Bioethical debates such as those surrounding the manipulation of human embryos are often based on metaphysical assumptions that lack a foundation in the natural sciences. In this paper we support a gradualist position whereby the embryo progressively takes on the form and associated ethical significance of a human being. We support this position by introducing a concept of biological structure or form to show how the gradualist position has its metaphysical foundations in modern biology. The conceptual basis for form and structure are outlined and their compatibility with and basis in current empirical biology is demonstrated by some recent advances in our understanding of the processes of development from single cell to organism. We then briefly explore the ethical significance of accepting a form or structure based conception of biology for the status of the early embryo.
Beginning of Human Life↗