Abortion To examine the issue of when life begins.

Key Word: Abortion An abortion is an operation to remove the embryo/ foetus from the womb.

When does life begin?

Key Terms Embryo – weeks 1-7 of the baby’s development Foetus – name for a growing baby from week 8

Growth of the Foetus

Week No. The Foetus’s Development 1 Growing bundle of cells enter uterus 3 Eyes, ears and blood vessels begin to form 4 Heart starts beating 6 All major organs present in rudimentary form

Week No. The Foetus’s Development 7 Embryo is the size of a grape 9 Fingernails begin to form, eyelids close over eyes 10 Baby about 2.5 inches long 11 Baby can move its thumb to its finger; the two halves of the palette fuse; vocal chords in place 12 Form of the genitals is established 13 Skeleton begins to turn to bone 14 Circulation is effective with the heart pumping 28 litres a day

Week No. The Foetus’s Development 15 Baby thought to be aware of loud external noises. Head hair, eyelashes and eyebrows visible 16 Mother begins to feel the baby's movements. Thumb sucking begins 19 Baby is half the length it will be at birth 20 Baby develops a pattern of activity and sleep; arms and legs reach relative birth proportions 22 Small chance the baby would live if born now; lungs immature

Week No. The Foetus’s Development 24 Half of babies born at this stage survive given sophisticated care 25 80% of premature babies survive at this stage 26 Lungs sufficiently developed to survive 28 Baby responds to mother's voice 29 Baby settles in to head-down position

Week No. The Foetus’s Development Pupils show reflex response to light 35 Baby orientates spontaneously towards light; begins practising breathing movements and can get hiccups 37 Growth slows or stops; baby is about inches long 38 Birth, although only 5% make their 'due date', and 8-12% wait another 3 weeks

When do you think life begins? Explain your reasons.