The Abortion Debate

Hello, You are correct when assuming my comparing a fetus to plants and bacteria is in regards to personhood, Consciousness, Etc. I know they are not literally the same thing, I was just using that as a comparison. My argument is not that a fetus or zygote is not alive, We both agree here. I am saying there is a major difference in being biologically alive than having personhood, Which is what I meant by having the potential to become a human being, My apologies if my wording is confusing. For example, If you could only save one, Would you save a baby or would you save a fetus? Almost every person will answer baby because there is a clear distinction here. On the contrary, Most people would save a child before an adult if they could only save one, So this moral and philosophical question has nothing to do with level of development but instead a level of personhood and what constitutes being a "human-being" in this sense. Another example of this distinction is the fact that there are currently just as many miscarriages, If not more, Than abortions (usually first trimester miscarriages aka spontaneous abortions). While it is sad for a woman to lose a fetus that she intends on carrying, It is not equatable to a woman having a stillborn or losing a child post partnum. Scientists still cannot even reach a definitive concensus on personhood, However many define it as the state of having consciousness, Feelings (physical or emotional), Being self-aware, Etc. It"s not so much about level of development but there is a threshold and a fetus does not have a functional central nervous system nor is capable of displaying brain activity until roughly the end of the second trimester. A person in a coma while they are currently not displaying personhood, Has already had personhood. They legally and morally have rights at this point and these rights should be considered. For this same reason, We have rights even after we are deceased. If I am not an organ donor and I were to get into a tragic car accident and die tomorrow, Nobody can take my organs from me even though I am dead, Even if it will save someone"s life. Also, If someone is in a coma for an extended period of time, A family member or spouse has every right to pull the plug because unfortunately despite the person technically being alive by breathing tube, They no longer possess the ability to make that decision for themselves. Furthermore, Even this example falls short because I have never, Ever seen a case where someone in a coma had to live off of someone else"s body to survive and the sentient person was forced to have them live off of them. If fetuses could live outside of the mothers womb without her being forced to carry, We would not even be having this debate. Regarding the aliens, I mean we are talking about aliens here but I will entertain it. I would say that the government was wrong because personhood (or alienhood? Lol) is a combination of a few factors not just sentience. The aliens are born individuals, Despite not feeling pain and pleasure, Are they self aware? Are they able to make decisions? Are they conscious? Are they viable and not reliant on another alien"s body for merely existing? If the answer to these is yes, Then they should not be executed unless they consent to it (I am also pro assisted suicide when quality of life has been deemed unbearable due to a severe disability or deadly diagnosis). As far as the second option is concerned, I would say it is also unjust because I don"t believe that death should be made into a public spectacle for entertainment, Even if the profits were to go to a greater good. Likewise, If abortion clinics were selling tickets to watch abortions be performed while people cheered in the background I would also be against it, Even if the profits went to good causes. Ultimately a zygote or fetus before 28 weeks is not equal to a baby and does not have personhood despite being alive. While I would like to see abortion rates continue to decrease (as they have been in the last decade) I support a woman"s choice in the matter because what she does with her own body comes before a fetus for many reasons. Carrying a fetus is not just a simple feat. It changes her body, It"s hard on her mentally, It can be risky (the US for example has the highest maternal mortality rate in developed countries), It can be extremely expensive and there are some circumstances where it may be necessary. It"s not a black and white issue at all and I will never support taking away a woman"s right to choose and forcing her to carry to term despite the negative affects it may have on her or risk that she will look for other and more dangerous methods.