[GovernmentShrinker]

Actually, I would "characterize the start of individuality" at some point long after initial cell differentiation. Those chemical signals sent out by blastocysts are the same for all non-defective blastocysts, and certainly don't qualify as acts of concious will. It is akin to a seed in the ground sending up a sprout in response to dampness and warmth -- strictly a series of automated chemical reactions.

[MHGinTN]

The will to survive is precisely what the earliest differentiation of cells indicates with the zygote/ blastocyst. I believe we would agree, that's not the same as making 'conscious' choices. If I understand your post, you would start the 'worthy of continued existence' for the individual human life at some point when consciousness may be proven. Is that correct?