Talk:Fetus

A fetus (sometimes spelled foetus) is the unborn or unhatched young of a vertebrate animal. The word is especially applied to mammals, and particularly to humans more than eight weeks after conception.

Growth and development

In the earliest stages of development, the fertilized egg is referred to as an embryo. At about eight weeks, when the embryo begins to resemble a newborn more clearly, it enters what is called the fetal period. It is then called a fetus until it is born. The fetal period is a stage that produces increased growth and full development of the organs.

Sometimes, fetal problems cause birth prematurely. Human fetuses usually cannot live outside the womb before about 20 weeks, so if the fetus is expelled from the womb before it can survive outside, the incident is called either a miscarriage or an abortion. After about five months, if the fetus is born dead the birth is called a stillbirth, and if the fetus is alive it is called a premature birth.

Fetuses in the abortion debate

The Bible gives clear indications that human fetuses are living, conscious humans.

Before Rebekah gave birth to the twins Jacob and Esau, "the children struggled together within her" (Genesis 25:22). When the Virgin Mary found she was pregnant with Jesus she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with the child who would later be known as John the Baptist. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, "the babe leaped in her womb" (Luke 1:41). Elizabeth said to Mary, "as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Luke 1: 44).

The Bible therefore shows that the human fetus in the mother’s womb is already a true human being, able to react and express emotions. Embryonic and fetal photography from Lennart Nilsson and others clearly show the humanness of the fetus.[1] Deliberate abortion therefore is taking a human life.

In their book The Bible Has the Answer, Dr. Henry Morris and Martin E. Clark say, "In view of these facts, the current sudden increase in legalized abortion practice is very disturbing." They add that despite what governments or medical or legal professionals do to legalize abortions, it is clear that deliberate abortion is murder in the sight of God.

Spelling and etymology

Fetus is sometimes spelled foetus, especially in British non-technical use. This spelling has been used since the 16th century, although it has no etymological basis. Fetus is the standard spelling in technical usage throughout the English-speaking world.