Chris, the definition of fetus is pretty well understood. It is a developing child from about 3 months until birth. When is it considered human? It is considered genetically human the instance it is conceived. Even before, if you want to count the sperm and egg it comes from. The DNA won't allow it to develop into an aardvark.
When is it considered an independent person with all the rights of a post-birth child? The easiest answer is whenever it reaches a stage where it is developed sufficiently to survive outside of the womb.
What you are obviously angling at is that this story of an almost fully developed baby somehow is relevant to the question of when "life" begins, which is central to the abortion debate. I think you may be stretching a bit there. Even pro-choice supporters would agree that 8-month-old babies are well beyond the point where abortion would remotely be an option except possibly in the extremely rare medical emergency case.
Approximately 90% of abortions happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Even Roe v. Wade made abortions illegal past 6 months, and even further gave states the right to intervene during the second trimester.
In the end, this debate will never be resolved, because there are only two ways to resolve it.
First, you have to determine what level of mental/cognitive capability or awareness equals life; and even then, there will be exceptions for the developmentally challenged.
Second, you would have to prove that there is such a thing as a soul, and then prove when a soul enters a developing mass of cells, or later the fetus; and that is something that will never be proven.
So in the end, you either let people make their own choice based on their own beliefs, or you make the decision for them and force your opinion onto them through law.
Debate is fine and good, but if your hope is to convince someone that abortion in the eighth month is wrong, well, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who'd argue with you.
Personally, I think the story of the woman stealing the baby and killing the mother is terrible and sad, period. No need to find deeper meaning in it. But if I did look for deeper meaning, it would probably be more about mental health issues than abortion issues.
Respond to Randy
Back to top