(May 26, 2014 at 11:19 pm)Heywood Wrote:(May 26, 2014 at 11:16 pm)Beccs Wrote: As is a fetus until it's born. Afterwards, it certainly becomes one. I will grant that it technically becomes one at viability.
An embryo created in a petri dish, is that not a contiguous living system?
(May 26, 2014 at 11:18 pm)Losty Wrote: And they can survive on their own. :o
The ability "to survive on its own" is not in the definition of an organism. You cannot survive on your own. If all the beneficial bacteria in your gut were eradicated, you would die. Therefore you are not a human being because you cannot survive, "on your own".....right?
What are the characteristics of an organism Heywood?
Homeostasis maybe one of them...maybe.