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'''Human reproduction''' is the process by which children are conceived and born. In order for human reproduction to occur under normal circumstances<ref>Exceptionally, reproduction may take place via procedures such as [[in vitro fertilization]]</ref>, a man and woman engage in [[sexual intercourse]]. [[Christianity]] sanctions intercourse within [[marriage]]; most non-Christian cultures also enshrine this activity within a marriage-like union: a lifelong, religiously and legally sanctioned bond between one man and one woman.  

'''Human reproduction''' is the process by which children are conceived and born. In order for human reproduction to occur under normal circumstances<ref>Exceptionally, reproduction may take place via procedures such as [[in vitro fertilization]]</ref>, a man and woman engage in [[sexual intercourse]]. [[Christianity]] sanctions intercourse within [[marriage]]; most non-Christian cultures also enshrine this activity within a marriage-like union: a lifelong, religiously and legally sanctioned bond between one man and one woman.  

The ultimate act of intimacy serves to unite the male and female [[gamete]]s, the [[sperm]] and [[egg]], respectively. These gametes carry just one half of the [[gene]]tic material ([[chromosome]]s) from each parent, and when they combine the new [[embryo]] contains a full set of chromosomes, as well as its [[soul]]. The process of the gametes combining is called [[fertilization]], and takes place inside the woman's body, in the [[Fallopian tubes]] or [[uterus]]. The embryo then attaches itself to the uterine lining, and is nourished by the woman's body while it develops. This development takes roughly nine months.

The ultimate act of intimacy serves to unite the male and female [[gamete]]s, the [[sperm]] and [[egg]], respectively. These gametes carry just one half of the [[gene]]tic material ([[chromosome]]s) from each parent, and when they combine the new [[embryo]] contains a full set of chromosomes, as well as its [[soul]]. The process of the gametes combining is called [[fertilization]], and takes place inside the woman's body, in the [[Fallopian tubes]] or [[uterus]]. The embryo then attaches itself to the uterine lining, and is nourished by the placenta (which in turn receives its nourishment from the mother's body) while it develops. This development takes roughly nine months (see [[Naegele's Rule]]).

At the end of this process of protected development, what was once an embryo is now born as a new baby. Human babies are relatively helpless, and depend on the care and love of their parents in order to survive to maturity themselves.

At the end of this process of protected development, what was once an embryo is now born as a new baby. Human babies are relatively helpless, and depend on the care and love of their parents in order to survive to maturity themselves.

Humans are not able to reproduce alone by [[budding]], [[parthenogenesis]], or [[self-cloning]] as some species are capable of. In addition, human [[gender]] is fixed, unlike some species'; females are not able to become male or vice versa to deal with homogeneous populations of one gender.

Humans are not able to reproduce alone by [[budding]], [[parthenogenesis]], or [[self-cloning]] as some species are capable of. In addition, human [[gender]] is fixed at conception, unlike some species'; females are not able to become male or vice versa to deal with homogeneous populations of one gender.

== References ==

== References ==