Letter: Another take on when life begins

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006 | 12:30 p.m.

F. Jay Harrell asks an appropriate question in his Feb. 7 letter to the editor: Is not the fertilized egg that is implanted and results in pregnancy life?

The fertilized ovum (egg) is not viable (cannot sustain life) until it is in fact implanted in the uterus (ectopic implantation such as in the fallopian tubes being somewhat rare).

The fertilized egg will not be sustained if it does not implant (attach itself) to the uterine wall within a few days of fertilization. Failing that, it will not continue to grow and develop and will be eliminated in a process named "physiological abortion" also known as pregnancy terminated by Mother Nature.

Prior to implantation, the fertilized ovum actually does undergo division and development, and then becomes viable, only through successful implantation. If implantation does not occur, a successful pregnancy does not occur.

Perhaps terms such as "viable implanted fertilized ovum" and "nonviable fertilized ovum" add meaning to the discourse. Another option would be viable and nonviable (transient) fertilization.

Therefore, to define pregnancy as beginning at the moment of implantation seems physiologically appropriate.

Jerry Hesch, Henderson