When Does Human

Life Begin?

Starter: Record your

personal view to the
question that is today’s
title. When does a
person’s life start? What
do you think and why?
 Lesson Objectives
• To know the four main theories of when life
begins.
• To consider a personal viewpoint on the key
question.
• To understand contrasting views on the key
question.
 Grade 6-7
I can use Grade 8-9
information about I can evaluate
Grade 4-5 the development different,
I can describe of the human informed views
different points foetus to reach a about when
of view about justified human life begins
when human conclusion about and apply this to
when human life the sensitive and
life begins. emotive issue of
begins, and
respond to the abortion.
views of others.
 Key Terms
• Conception – the point at which a sperm fertilises an
ovum (egg) in the womb.
• Ovum – The egg which is released once every month.
• Fertilisation – The point at which the sperm attaches
to the egg and both become one living cell.
• Pre- embryo – Conception to 2 weeks.
• Embryo – 2 weeks to 8 weeks.
• Foetus – 8 weeks onwards.
 What is an abortion?
• Abortion – the deliberate termination of a
pregnancy through medical intervention.

• Early stages of pregnancy = a pill taken to

abort the under-developed foetus, like a heavy
period.
• Later stages = a surgical procedure to remove
the contents of the uterus.
 Conception

• Sperm meets egg.

• The egg is implanted onto
the wall of the uterus.
• This is the beginning of
pregnancy
• This is the first 0-7 days
 Foetus
Day 22: the embryo has its own blood
and heart.
6 weeks: limbs start to form, internal
organs are fully functioning.
9 weeks: organs are fully formed as are
toes and hands. Brainwaves can be
detected and the foetus can move.
12 weeks: heartbeat can be detected,
nails have formed.
 Developed Foetus

14 weeks: bones and joints are

forming, human features are
distinct.
24 weeks: all systems (digestive,
respiratory, circulatory…) are
formed, eyes may be open. 25%
of babies can survive outside of
the womb. An abortion can
legally be performed up to this
date.
 Birth

The child is ready to leave

the womb having reached
the full term of the
pregnancy.
The child takes its first
breath after leaving the
womb.
When does life begin? What do you base
your opinion on?

Conception Foetus

Developed foetus
Birth
 Set out a whole page in
Foetus
Conception
your book like this.
In each corner, explain
what takes place at this
stage of the pregnancy.
Explain why some people
Key Question – When
does life begin? believe that this is the
point at which life begins.
Developed Birth
Foetus Add your own view to this
page, and give reasons.

Challenge: ‘A woman who has an abortion is a

murderer.’ Do you agree with this statement?
Try to remember the FREAREY structure as
you answer.
 Conception: the egg is
fertilised by the sperm.
Day 22: the embryo
has its own blood and
heart.
12 weeks: heartbeat can be
detected, nails have formed.
24 weeks: all systems are formed,
eyes may be open. 25% of babies can
survive outside of the womb. An
abortion can legally be performed up
to this date.
28 weeks: Abortions
available up to this date
before 1990.

Conception
Birth
9 weeks: organs are fully formed
as are toes and hands. Brainwaves
can be detected and the foetus can
move. WHEN DOES
6 weeks: limbs start to
form, internal organs are 14 weeks: bones and joints LIFE BEGIN?
fully functioning. are forming, human
features are distinct.