When Does Life Begin?

A recent international poll, arranged by Reproductive Biology Associates, showed that there are a lot of different opinions about when a human embryo is considered to be “alive”. The full results have not yet been published, but here is the information released so far.

International results:

1. At detection of fetal heartbeat (23.5%)
2. At fertilisation (22.7%)
3. At implantation of the embryo in the womb (15%)

 

UK:

1. At detection of fetal heartbeat (43%)
2. At fertilisation (13%)

 

Australia:

1. At fertilisation (47%)
2. At detection of fetal heartbeat (7%)

 

North America: 

1. At fertilisation (27% )
2. At detection of fetal heartbeat (24%)
3. At implantation of the embryo in the womb (18%)

 

Result by group affiliation: % choosing “at fertilisation”:

1. In vitro fertilisation patients (38%)
2. Roman Catholics (31%)
3. Jews (30%)
4. Agnostics (29%)
5. Muslims (27% )

The Golden Calf

Did you know that yesterday, October 29th, has been dubbed the “Day of Prayer for the World’s Economies” by some christian named Cindy Jacobs? And that she and a bunch of other Christians gathered at Wall Street to pray for an amelioration of the current financial crisis? Well, they did, and I guess there is nothing wrong with that, but there is just one peculiar aspect of this whole seance, and that is that they chose to gather in front of the Wall Street bull statue (read here for more information about bull/bear markets). Wonkette has a fantastic picture of this:

Now, is it just me, or does that remind you of a certain, quite famous, biblical story? Something about a golden calf and the 2nd commandment? And just for a comparison: 

Wow…I guess someone forgot to read up on their bible, something other blogs also have pointed out.