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BIOETHICS DICTIONARY - "Z"s
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ZERO
GRAVITY: An
environment with an absence of gravitational force, such as that
of the orbiting Space Shuttle or the newly developed International
Space Station. Has relevance to some experimental research in physiology
and to health factors such as muscle mass and bone density after
extended human exposure. (See INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, NASA).
(MP)
ZERO POPULATION GROWTH: a
situation of equilibrium in which there is no population increase
during a given year, or other defined period of time, because the
total live birth rate (+ immigration) is equal to the total death
rate (+ emigration). The environmental impact of population growth
rate can better be appreciated by the time taken for the population
to double in size. For example, growth rates of 2% - a doubling
time of 35 years - is particularly relevant since large parts of
the world have a growth rate close to 2% which is clearly unsustainable.
(See EXTINCTION, POPULATION, HUMAN EXTINCTION, CRITICALLY ENDANGERED).
(IP+MP)
ZOHAR: ("Splendour")
Main text of the Jewish mystical teachings of the Kabbalah. It contains
commentary on the Pentateuch, said to have been communicated to
Moses at Mount Sinai. Discovered in the 13th Century, it was perhaps
arguably composed by Moses de Leon of Guadalajara, but was attributed
to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (2nd Century) and is considered authentic
by followers of the Kabbalistic tradition. (See KABBALAH) (MP)
ZONA PELLUCIDA: A
thick, transparent noncellular layer of uniform thickness surrounding
the oocyte, zygote and early embryo for several days, when it degenerates
and allows the embryo to everge or hatch out.
ZOO: (Greek:
zoion "animal") 1. Zoo- and zo- are the combining forms indicating
animals. 2. Zoo is an abbreviation of zoological garden, a place
where animals are kept for exhibition to the public. Zoos also play
an important conservation role, including breeding programs for
endangered species, biological science and research, and promoting
environmental education and ecological empathy. (MP)
ZOOGEOGRAPHY: Study
of the geographical range and distribution of animals across the
earth. Of particular importance is the monitoring of endangered
species and the spread of exotic pests. (MP)
ZOOLOGY: (Greek:
zoion "animal" + logos "word" or "reason") The branch
of biological science dealing with animal life, for example the
classification, evolution or physiology of animals, or the characteristics
or diversity of fauna in a group or region. (MP)
ZOONOSES:
Diseases which are specific to animals in the normal course of life
and are contracted by human begins due to/after xenotransplantation
(JA)
ZOROASTER:
(Zarathustra- meaning "owner of the golden camel") (lived between
approx. 1400- 1200 bce). Founder of Zoroastrianism (see Zoroastrianism).
Central topics in his teaching include cattle herding, pursuit of
justice, kinship and friendship, hospitality, and priestly rituals.
Nietzsche's (see Nietzsche) book "Also sprach Zarathustra" (Thus
spoke Zarathustra) makes use of Zoroaster's name as an ancient prophet,
although the book is not about Zoroastrian teachings. (AG)
ZOROASTRIANISM:
The teaching of Zoroaster. According to this teaching, the world
and all good things in it were created by Ahura Mazda. Ahura Mazda
was aided in the creation by six lesser divinities known as the
Amesha Spenta (Holy Immortals). Ahura Mazda, along with these six
Amesha Spenta make up the Zoroastrian Heptad (Greek "heptad", meaning
" group of seven"). The Heptad and dualism provide the foundation
for Zoroastrian teachings. (AG)
ZPG:
See ZERO POPULATION GROWTH.
ZHU XI: See CHU HSI.
ZYGON: Greek
word meaning "yolk" hence is the key concept describing zygote.
Also the name is taken by a journal of science and religion. (IP)
ZYGOTE: The
fertilized egg; the single cell that is formed when the two haploid
sets of chromosomes in the pronuclei of the male and female gametes
come together at syngamy. Also used loosely to refer to the early
embryo during the first few weeks. The single cell resulting from
the syngamy of nuclei from sperm and egg after fertilization (DM,
JA)
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