Galt's Gulch

How many brain cells until there is a soul?

Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago to Science
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Human brain cells grafted into mice brains function and integrate.
- Cells susceptible to Alzheimer's show degradation faster than mouse brain cells, suggesting humans are more susceptible.
- Cells with Downs syndrome show weaker interconnections
- Cells join and function in various circuits of the mouse brain, but effect on function not yet evaluated.

The brain is very interesting. How much does there need to be before this thing is a human?
SOURCE URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02073-4

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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 2 years, 4 months ago
    How ever many brain cells it takes to create a subconscious that will lead to the mind...at that point one becomes integrated; brain/body/soul or the "I".
    Many creatures during this time that have plenty of brain cells/neurons but no connection to their mind and Identity. {self introspection, for short}

    Neanderthal and Nephilim had plenty of brain cells/neurons but no self/soul/mind nor identity.
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    • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago
      Neanderthals are excluded? We are getting somewhere. I like a discussion around, killing a Neanderthal who can speak is not murder, but ditching a fertilized zygote, or four consequent cells is a big deal.
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      • Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 4 months ago
        Did anyone here say anything about killing Neanderthals? Or dogs or cats for that matter?
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        • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago
          I read OUC's note that: "Neanderthals (and Nephilim) have no self/soul/mind nor identity". That would make them animals in most books. That was my point.
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          • Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 4 months ago
            OK Thanks. Point's origin now understood. Still don't go along with the killing part, though.
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            • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago
              Killing animals is ok. Killing people, even one cell of people is not ok (to the religious). I was all set to argue that Neanderthals are WAY more “people” than 1, 2, 4, 8 cells. They lived together, painted picture, and could speak for all we know. Saying they don’t have a soul, is a strong, and very important statement.
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              • Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 4 months ago
                I could be wrong, but I recall reading somewhere Neanderthals had a larger cranial capacity and may have had more brains than modern humans. I'm guessing their immune systems lacked something, which is one theory why they aren't around anymore. IMHO, willy nilly killing animals or humans is not ok.
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                • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago
                  Whales and elephants have larger brains too, although clearly not the same capability. I don’t recall Neanderthal cranial capacity. I also thought there was good evidence of Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal interbreeding and people today with Neanderthal genes.
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                  • Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 4 months ago
                    I've read the same about interbreeding and some modern humans may still carry as much as 1 or 2 % Neanderthal genes. It's a piece of history we will likely never know.
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  • Posted by LibertyBelle 2 years, 4 months ago
    I guess, when the first ones appear. this question referred to pregnancy, right?
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    • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 4 months ago
      No, it relates to pregnancy, but not steeped in it. The parallel you allude to is: "Are these cells little humans, and discarding them murder?" If not, why are 2, 4, 8 or 2^n cells murder?

      Cloning humans, which is laughably easy at this point, is going to really throw a wrench in it.
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