Fifteen years ago, philosopher James Q. Wilson proposed a
provocative new take on abortion. When does the life of a human
individual begin? Although the question is of obvious importance
for our public policy debates over abortion and embryonic-stem-
cell research, politicians have avoided it like the plague. Of
late, though, things seem to be changing. Recently some of our
nation's most prominent political leaders, from the Speaker of
the House to both contenders for the office of president, have
weighed in on the question. Faced with the complicated and not-
very-widely-known facts of human embryology, most people are
inclined to agree with the sentiment expressed by Speaker
Pelosi, who has stated "I don't think anybody can tell you when…
human life begins." Yet is Speaker Pelosi correct? Is it
actually the case that no one can tell you with any degree of
authority when the life of a human being actually begins? No, it
is not. Treating the question as some sort of grand mystery, or
expressing or feigning unce