HRE said:1. Humans are considered legally dead when cerebral cortex activity ceases -- that is, the brain flat-lines.
1.1. Thus, a human can be considered alive when cerebral cortex activity begins.
2. Cerebral cortex activity begins in the 22nd week of gestation.
2.1. Thus, before the 22nd week of gestation, the fetus is not alive -- by any type of definition.
2.2. Add a two week period for ethical safety.
2.2.1. Thus, a fetus can be ethically aborted with a margin of safety before the 20th week of pregnancy (the third trimester).
Um..okay. I posted something similar in another thread, but here is the abbreviated version, mainly focusing on the brain.
Source: The Least of These by Curt Young
One of the first areas to advance in a developing baby (fetus) is the brain. By twenty days after conception the foundation for the entire nervous system (Including the brain..tada) is established. A heartbeat is detected by 18 days.
By the fifth week (35 days) the brain is developing, and the cerebral cortex can be seen (w/ technology of course) and the pituitary gland is forming. Internal organs are developing at full-steam
Brain waves are recorded as early as 40 days
By the sixth week all major organs are present and most are operational and congratulations to the baby, s/he is now a fetus instead of an embryo.
The third month: fingernails and toenails and hair follicles are forming, skin is very sensitive to touch.
The fourth month: More growth and development, and if you look at an ultrasound you can see the baby (fetus) sucking on his or her thumb.
The fifth and six months: If born as a preemie, s/he has a good chance of survival.
New research has found that the unborn baby can feel pain as young as 8 weeks! Below is what I found: (abortionfacts.com, its actually an online book)
"By this age (8 weeks) the neuro-anatomic structures are present. What is needed is (1) a sensory nerve to feel the pain and send a message to (2) the thalamus, a part of the base of the brain, and (3) motor nerves that send a message to that area. These are present at 8 weeks. The pain impulse goes to the thalamus. It sends a signal down the motor nerves to pull away from the hurt"
just think about it....
That's all I have to say for now.
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