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Conception sometimes results in products that are not capable of developing into an embryo and fetus. This group, designated with the term gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, comprises the benign hydatidiform mole, the invasive mole (chorioadenoma destruens) and the frankly malignant variety, choriocarcinoma. Another type of atypical oocyte activation occurs in parthenogenesis. In the human, two types of tumors, dermoid cysts and teratomas, can result from this process. The authors of this paper aim to elucidate the mechanisms how these abnormal growths ensue and provide explanations why they cannot be regarded as human individuals or human beings. They conclude that it is not the exact number of chromosomes that is required for a form of human life to become a human being but rather the biparental origin of the chromosome set.