When it comes down to it, I think one could make a convincing argument that individual sperm and eggs are alive. IMHO, what matters for what's generally conside

When it comes down to it, I think one could make a convincing argument that individual sperm and eggs are alive. IMHO, what matters for what's generally considered "human life" is when consciousness begins and ends: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-does-consciousness-arise/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-does-conscio... > But when does the magical journey of consciousness begin? Consciousness requires a sophisticated network of highly interconnected components, nerve cells. Its physical substrate, the thalamo-cortical complex that provides consciousness with its highly elaborate content, begins to be in place between the 24th and 28th week of gestation. Roughly two months later synchrony of the electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythm across both cortical hemispheres signals the onset of global neuronal integration. Thus, many of the circuit elements necessary for consciousness are in place by the third trimester. By this time, preterm infants can survive outside the womb under proper medical care.