If you’re looking for an author who can help you argue about the origins of human life and the beginning of personhood, Maureen Condic is very good. She’s written a number of articles in First Things on the beginning of human life and stem cells ( here , here , and here , to name but three). Now she’s authored a white paper for the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person called ” When Does Human Life Begin ?” Any of these might be helpful in your own education, and that of friends and acquaintances.