Accident of birth
Encyclopedia
Accident of birth is a phrase pointing out that no one has any control of, or responsibility for, the circumstances of their birth
or parentage
. With a modern scientific understanding of genetics
, one can reasonably call any human being's entire genome
an accident of birth. The place of birth of a baby has an effect in immigration law
of many nations, so that an "accidental" birth in an airport lounge
may entitle a person to a passport
in later life.
More broadly, gender, family circumstances, cultural background, access to education, inheritance
rights, are all examples of accidents of birth. Individual responsibility, from the age of majority
certainly, is supposed to cut across all these matters.
Birth
Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring. The offspring is brought forth from the mother. The time of human birth is defined as the time at which the fetus comes out of the mother's womb into the world...
or parentage
Parenting
Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood...
. With a modern scientific understanding of genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
, one can reasonably call any human being's entire genome
Genome
In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
an accident of birth. The place of birth of a baby has an effect in immigration law
Immigration law
Immigration law refers to national government policies which control the phenomenon of immigration to their country.Immigraton law, regarding foreign citizens, is related to nationality law, which governs the legal status of people, in matters such as citizenship...
of many nations, so that an "accidental" birth in an airport lounge
Airport lounge
An airport lounge is a lounge owned by a particular airline . Many offer private meeting rooms, phone, fax, wireless and Internet access and other business services, along with provisions to enhance comfort such as free drinks and snacks...
may entitle a person to a passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
in later life.
More broadly, gender, family circumstances, cultural background, access to education, inheritance
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
rights, are all examples of accidents of birth. Individual responsibility, from the age of majority
Age of majority
The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized in law. It is the chronological moment when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of...
certainly, is supposed to cut across all these matters.