considered a child? or a human? scientifically please, no opinions.
2007-10-03 03:07:22 · 7 answers · asked by --ever-after-him-- 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
thank you guys. this is actually ever-after-him's little sister... you probably wont hear from me again, becuase she is going to kill me when she sees ive been on her account again.
2007-10-03 07:18:03 · update #1
Scientifically, and purely in terms of classifying development stage, there are several terms used to describe a developing foetus. Note that these are *not* specific to human foetuses.
A fertilsed egg is a Zygote.
After 4 to 6 days, it has become a Blastocyst (a hollow ball of cells).
After most of the organs have developed, and the sex could be determined (around 3 months), it is a Foetus.
At *any* stage, it can be technically called an Embryo.
As soon as it is born, it is a Neonate.
As for "human", well - that is (if anything) a species designation, so it is always a "human". And always a "Homo sapiens sapiens".
"Child" is not really a scientific term, I'm afraid. But, if pressed, I'd say as soon as it is born.
Of course, in issues of abortion and the like, the question is not so much what you are asking, but how to weigh the suffering of the foetus and/or mother against the "worth" of life. And science cannot answer those kinds of questions.
2007-10-03 03:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by gribbling 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Really depends on who you ask.
* The Doctor would call it a baby at every checkup.
* Abortion clinic would call it a fetus up to the second it was born full term.
* A mother will call it a baby the first time she hears the heart beat (which is 6 weeks after conception.)
* A Court would say only when the mother excepts it.
* A father wonders when his opinion matters.
* A baby at 8 weeks (after conception) not only is the heart beating, he/she develops rudimentary limbs.
* A Pregnacy test in a few as two days after conception can test positive that you are HAVING A BABY .. (Which is pretty scientific)
So, being as you don't want anyone's personal opinion, come to your own conclusion.
2007-10-03 10:30:47 · answer #2 · answered by lovin_2beme 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scientifically? There's no magic moment - its basically a gray area. An egg cells with a sperm cell stuck in the middle isn't exactly a human but after that, they merge and create other cells, its still not even an embryo, you could try assigning some date but it would be totally arbitrary. Birth would seem a logical date as its a clear line but I think you're wondering about the subject in terms of abortion etc?
2007-10-03 10:16:29 · answer #3 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
3 months or 1 trimester!
2007-10-03 11:51:31 · answer #4 · answered by Awesomelicious~Leprechaun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3 months.
2007-10-03 10:12:56 · answer #5 · answered by Charu Chandra Goel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it is after the first trimester.
2007-10-03 10:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by skibm80 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything other than the point of fertilization is an opinion, not a fact.
2007-10-03 10:11:28 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff A 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋