Distinguishing Cells from Organisms

An important distinction exists between human cells and human organisms. While cells can survive outside of an organism, they do not constitute a separate living being. A human organism is defined as a living being, similar to single-celled organisms that are classified as living entities. This distinction is crucial for discussions on morality surrounding topics such as abortion and the treatment of embryos in laboratory settings like IVF, as recognizing an embryo as a distinct organism significantly alters the ethical framework of these conversations.