WHAT IS “HUMAN LIFE” Part-7
Modern outlook
‘The Human’ – marvelously designed and unique in each individual. All of us utilizes the same natural and self-created resources for existence. Human body is composed of elements, micro-elements, organic and inorganic materials. During the process of growth and development these are utilized to form cells, tissues, organ and organ system to carry out ultimate activity as when required .About 60% of our body weight is water(vary between 45% to 75% depending upon sex ,age ,weight ,height and other factors). Other elements are oxygen(O)-65%, Carbon(C)-18%, Hydrogen(H)-10%, Nitrogen(N)-3%, Calcium(Ca)-1.5%, Phosphorus(P)-1%, Potassium(K)-0.25%, Sulpher(S)-0.25%, Sodium(Na)-0.15%, Chlorine(Cl)-0.15%, Magnesium(Mg)-0.05%, Iron(Fe)-0.006% Other trace elements are Iodine, zinc, copper, Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium, Manganese & Molybdenum.
Human body contain cells which are grouped to form tissues of various kinds. Cell is the smallest and functional unit of life form of human. It carries out vital functions such as metabolism, growth and repair. Death ensues when the vital tissues cease to function. Now the scientists have come up the number of total cells in our body. It varies between 3 X 1013 trillion to 5 X 1013 trillion cells.
Robert Hooke in 1665 discovered the plant cell. He named this basic functional unit as ‘cell’ and outlined their actions. This was the turning point of the science shattering the old philosophical view of life. It made to think about the Human body composition. During 1830’s and 1840’s M. Jakob. Schleiden and Theodor Schwan published cell theory (Reference-6.1) and opined that living organisms are made up of one or more cells. The cell is the basic unit of life, arises form pre-existing cell. Many scientists researched on cell theory at molecular and micro-molecular level. In 1953’s James Watson and Francis crick proposed the structure of DNA which is responsible for storing and transforming genetic information in all living organism.
From above discussion it is apparent, while describing ‘human’, that there is difference of opinion between pure science and philosophy. The ‘Human’, above all, the human life cannot be defined by pure science only (Neuro Science). Philosophically, while describing ‘human’, inclusiveness of sense perception(Neuro science), mind, soul and spiritual aspect are considered. On the other hand, modern science evaluates the body from functional aspect only. Therapy induced to rectify the human health disorder mostly based on induction of drug or surgery with a view to stop dis-functioning or reverse the process of functioning of cells or organs.
In the post-modern era (after 2000A.D.) the definition of ‘Human’ is ought to be changed because of changes in behaviour pattern and personality of the human. This change is remarkable due to introduction and widescale use of internet, smart phone. AI based humanoid Robots (Reference-6.2) and bio synthetic technology may in future blur the defining margin between biological human and synthetic human (more of the related concern will be discussed in future blog)