This was posted on my wall but I wanted to keep it with the debate (let me know if you object Luinil).

First, I'll say I mistook your question for a very common line of reasoning I've seen from the pro-life side of the debate.  So in that regard I probably went overboard in my reply.  Still I think it is a fairly good explanation of my view so I'll leave it.

Second, I have looked into it quite a bit like other areas but its not as well understood as other areas I've looked at.  So I'd like to be 100% clear and unambiguous in stating that I am by no means anywhere near qualified to speak with any authority on the issue (far far from it).  It's not like other issues because the science of the brain is still very much in its infancy (pun intended)..I understand the brain fairly well from a neural network perspective (which is to say very abstractly, this is because it relates to my chosen field of computer science and electronics engineering which likes to look at life for some of its brilliant pre-existing solutions/ideas) but developmentally I'm pretty clueless compared to even the relatively small amount of information we as a society actually have on that "crossover" moment. I wanted to state this because I don't want others to ascribe some level of comprehension to my position beyond what is actually there and if one person had considered that a possibility I wanted to just be absolutely clear on it.

So with that out of the way I'll let the real experts give a play-by-play of the development of a baby with important bits highlighted by me.  It's not directly related to the brain but it is one of the sources of information I have consulted numerous times in evaluating my position:

From the Mayo Clinic Website:

Fetal development begins before you even know you're pregnant. Here's a weekly calendar of events for the first trimester of pregnancy.

By Mayo Clinic staff

You're pregnant. Congratulations! You'll undoubtedly spend the months ahead wondering how your baby is growing and developing. What does your baby look like? How big is he or she? When will you hear the heartbeat?

Fetal development typically follows a predictable course. To help answer some of these questions, check out this weekly calendar of events for your baby's first three months in the womb.

FIRST TRIMESTER

Week 1: Getting ready

It may seem strange, but you're not actually pregnant the first week or two of the time allotted to your pregnancy. Yes, you read that correctly!

Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins. To calculate your due date, your health care provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy — even though you weren't pregnant at the time.

Week 2: Fertilization

The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, you may have multiple zygotes.

The zygote has 46 chromosomes — 23 from you and 23 from your partner. These chromosomes contain genetic material that will determine your baby's sex and traits such as eye color, hair color, height, facial features and — at least to some extent — intelligence and personality.

Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. At the same time, it will begin dividing rapidly to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry. The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it.

Week 3: Implantation

The zygote — by this time made up of about 500 cells — is now known as a blastocyst. When it reaches your uterus, the blastocyst will burrow into the uterine wall for nourishment. The placenta, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy, also begins to form.

By the end of this week, you may be celebrating a positive pregnancy test.

Week 4: The embryonic period begins

The fourth week marks the beginning of the embryonic period, when the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin to form. Your baby is now 1/25 of an inch long.

The embryo is now made of three layers. The top layer — the ectoderm — will give rise to a groove along the midline of your baby's body. This will become the neural tube, where your baby's brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and backbone will develop.

Your baby's heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells — the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby's bones, muscles, kidneys and much of the reproductive system.

The inner layer of cells — the endoderm — will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby's lungs, intestines and bladder will develop here.

Week 5: Baby's heart begins to beat

Your baby at week five (three weeks after conception)

At week five, your baby is 1/17 of an inch long — about the size of the tip of a pen.

This week, your baby's heart and circulatory system are taking shape. Your baby's blood vessels will complete a circuit, and his or her heart will begin to beat. Although you won't be able to hear it yet, the motion of your baby's beating heart may be detected with an ultrasound exam.

With these changes, blood circulation begins — making the circulatory system the first functioning organ system.

Week 6: The neural tube closes

Your baby at week six (four weeks after conception)

Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, your baby is about 1/8 of an inch long. The neural tube along your baby's back is now closed, and your baby's heart is beating with a regular rhythm.

Basic facial features will begin to appear, including an opening for the mouth and passageways that will make up the inner ear. The digestive and respiratory systems begin to form as well.

Small blocks of tissue that will form your baby's connective tissue, ribs and muscles are developing along your baby's midline. Small buds will soon grow into arms and legs.

Week 7: The umbilical cord appears

Your baby at week seven (five weeks after conception)

Seven weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is 1/3 of an inch long — a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser. He or she weighs less than an aspirin tablet.

The umbilical cord — the link between your baby and the placenta — is now clearly visible. The cavities and passages needed to circulate spinal fluid in your baby's brain have formed, but your baby's skull is still transparent.

The arm bud that sprouted last week now resembles a tiny paddle. Your baby's face takes on more definition this week, as a mouth perforation, tiny nostrils and ear indentations become visible.

Week 8: Baby's fingers and toes form

Eight weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is just over 1/2 of an inch long.

Your baby will develop webbed fingers and toes this week. Wrists, elbows and ankles are clearly visible, and your baby's eyelids are beginning to form. The ears, upper lip and tip of the nose also become recognizable.

As your baby's heart becomes more fully developed, it will pump at 150 beats a minute — about twice the usual adult rate.

Week 9: Movement begins

Your baby at week nine (seven weeks after conception)

Your baby is now nearly 1 inch long and weighs a bit less than 1/8 of an ounce. The embryonic tail at the bottom of your baby's spinal cord is shrinking, helping him or her look less like a tadpole and more like a developing person.

Your baby's head — which is nearly half the size of his or her entire body — is now tucked down onto the chest. Nipples and hair follicles begin to form. Your baby's pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and anus are in place. The internal reproductive organs, such as testes or ovaries, start to develop.

Your baby may begin moving this week, but you won't be able to feel it for quite a while yet.

Week 10: Neurons multiply

Your baby at week 10 (eight weeks after conception)

By now, your baby's vital organs have a solid foundation. The embryonic tail has disappeared completely, and your baby has fully separated fingers and toes. The bones of your baby's skeleton begin to form.

This week, your baby's brain will produce almost 250,000 new neurons every minute.

Your baby's eyelids are no longer transparent. The outer ears are starting to assume their final form, and tooth buds are forming as well. If your baby is a boy, his testes will start producing the male hormone testosterone.

Week 11: Baby's sex may be apparent

Your baby at week 11 (nine weeks after conception)

From now until your 20th week of pregnancy — the halfway mark — your baby will increase his or her weight 30 times and will about triple in length. To make sure your baby gets enough nutrients, the blood vessels in the placenta are growing larger and multiplying.

Your baby is now officially described as a fetus. Your baby's ears are moving up and to the side of the head this week. By the end of the week, your baby's external genitalia will develop into a recognizable penis or clitoris and labia majora.

Week 12: Baby's fingernails and toenails appear

Twelve weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is nearly 3 inches long and weighs about 4/5 of an ounce. Your baby's head is nearly half the size of his or her entire body.

This week marks the arrival of fingernails and toenails. Your baby's chin and nose will become more refined as well.

SECOND TRIMESTER

Week 13: Baby flexes and kicks

You can't feel it yet, but your baby can move in a jerky fashion — flexing the arms and kicking the legs. This week, your baby might even be able to put a thumb in his or her mouth.

Your baby's eyelids are fused together to protect his or her developing eyes. Tissue that will become bone is developing around your baby's head and within the arms and legs. Tiny ribs may soon appear.

Week 14: Hormones gear up

The effect of hormones becomes apparent this week. For boys, the prostate gland is developing. For girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen into the pelvis.

Meconium — which will become your baby's first bowel movement after birth — is made in your baby's intestinal tract. By the end of the week, the roof of your baby's mouth will be completely formed.

Week 15: Skin begins to form

Your baby at week 15 (13 weeks after conception)

Your baby's skin starts out nearly transparent. Eyebrows and scalp hair may make an appearance. For babies destined to have dark hair, the hair follicles will begin producing pigment.

The bone and marrow that make up your baby's skeletal system are continuing to develop this week. Your baby's eyes and ears now have a baby-like appearance, and the ears have almost reached their final position.

Week 16: Facial expressions are possible

Your baby at week 16 (14 weeks after conception)

Sixteen weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is between 4 and 5 inches long and weighs a bit less than 3 ounces. He or she can now make a fist.

Your baby's eyes are becoming sensitive to light. More developed facial muscles may lead to various expressions, such as squinting and frowning. Your baby may have frequent bouts of hiccups as well. For girls, millions of eggs are forming in the ovaries.

Week 17: Fat accumulates

Fat stores begin to develop under your baby's skin this week. The fat will provide energy and help keep your baby warm after birth.

Week 18: Baby begins to hear

As the nerve endings from your baby's brain "hook up" to the ears, your baby may hear your heart beating, your stomach rumbling or blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she may even be startled by loud noises. Your baby can swallow this week, too.

Week 19: Lanugo covers baby's skin

Your baby's delicate skin is now protected with a pasty white coating called vernix. Under the vernix, a fine, down-like hair called lanugo covers your baby's body.

Your baby's kidneys are already producing urine. The urine is excreted into the amniotic sac, which surrounds and protects your baby.

As your baby's hearing continues to improve, he or she may pick up your voice in conversations — although it's probably hard to hear clearly through the amniotic fluid and protective paste covering your baby's ears.

Thanks to the millions of motor neurons developing in the brain, your baby can make reflexive muscle movements. If you haven't felt movement yet, you will soon.

Week 20: The halfway point

Halfway into your pregnancy, your baby is about 6 inches long and weighs about 9 ounces — a little over half a pound. You've probably begun to feel your baby's movements.

Under the protection of the vernix, your baby's skin is thickening and developing layers. Your baby now has thin eyebrows, hair on the scalp and well-developed limbs.

Week 21: Nourishment evolves

Although the placenta provides nearly all of your baby's nourishment, your baby will begin to absorb small amounts of sugar from swallowed amniotic fluid. This week, your baby's bone marrow starts making blood cells — a job done by the liver and spleen until this point.

Week 22: Taste buds develop

This week, your baby weighs in at about 1 pound.

Taste buds are starting to form on your baby's tongue, and your baby's brain and nerve endings can process the sensation of touch. *Your baby may experiment by feeling his or her face or anything else within reach.*

For boys, the testes begin to descend from the abdomen this week. For girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place — complete with a lifetime supply of eggs.

Week 23: Lungs prepare for life outside the womb

Your baby at week 23 (21 weeks after conception)

Your baby's lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, the substance that allows the air sacs in the lungs to inflate — and keeps them from collapsing and sticking together when they deflate. "Practice" breathing moves amniotic fluid in and out of your baby's lungs.

Your baby will begin to look more like a newborn as the skin becomes less transparent and fat production kicks into high gear.

Week 24: Sense of balance develops

By now, your baby weighs about 1 1/2 pounds. Footprints and fingerprints are forming.

Thanks to a fully developed inner ear, which controls balance, your baby may have a sense of whether he or she is upside-down or right side up in the womb. You may notice a regular sleeping and waking cycle.

With intensive medical care, babies born at 24 weeks have more than a 50 percent chance of survival. Complications are frequent and serious, however, such as bleeding in the brain and impaired vision.

Week 25: Exploration continues

Your baby's hands are now fully developed, although the nerve connections to the hands have a long way to go. Exploring the structures inside your uterus may become baby's prime entertainment.

Week 26: Eyes remain closed

Your baby weighs between 1 1/2 and 2 pounds. The eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed, and the hair on your baby's head is longer and more plentiful. Although your baby's eyes are fully developed, they may not open for another two weeks.

Week 27: Second trimester ends

This week marks the end of the second trimester. Your baby's lungs, liver and immune system are continuing to mature — and he or she has been growing like a weed. At 27 weeks, your baby's length will have tripled or even quadrupled from the 12-week mark.

If your baby is born this week, the chance of survival is at least 85 percent. However, serious complications are still possible.

THIRD TRIMESTER

Week 28: Baby's eyes open

Your baby is about 15 inches long and weighs about 2 to 3 pounds.

Your baby's eyes are beginning to open and close. The color has been established, but the story's not over yet. Eye color may change within the first six months after birth — especially if your baby's eyes are blue or gray-blue at birth.

Your baby is now sleeping for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Fetal movement will be most obvious when you're sitting or lying down.

Week 29: Movement is more forceful

Your baby's bones are fully developed, but they're still soft and pliable. This week, your baby begins storing iron, calcium and phosphorus.

As your baby continues to grow, his or her movements will become more frequent and vigorous. Some of your baby's jabs and punches may even take your breath away.

Week 30: Baby packs on pounds

Your baby weighs about 3 pounds — but not for long. He or she will gain about 1/2 pound a week until week 37.

Your baby may practice breathing by moving his or her diaphragm in a repeating rhythm. If your baby gets the hiccups, you may feel slight twitches or spasms in your uterus.

Week 31: Reproductive development continues

If your baby is a boy, his testicles are moving from their location near the kidneys through the groin on their way into the scrotum. If your baby is a girl, her clitoris is now relatively prominent.

Your baby's lungs are more developed, but they're not fully mature. If your baby is born this week, he or she will probably need a ventilator to assist breathing. Complications such as bleeding in the brain are less likely than they were even a few weeks ago.

Week 32: Downy hair falls off

Your baby is between 15 and 17 inches long and weighs about 4 to 4 1/2 pounds. Nearly all babies born at this age survive the challenges of premature birth.

The layer of soft, downy hair that has covered your baby's skin for the past few months — known as lanugo — starts to fall off this week.

As space in your uterus becomes more cramped, your baby's kicks and other movements may seem less forceful. You may want to check on your baby's movements from time to time — especially if you think you've noticed decreased activity. If you count fewer than 10 movements in two hours, contact your health care provider.

Week 33: Baby detects light

Your baby's pupils now constrict, dilate and detect light. Your baby continues to gain about 1/2 pound a week, and his or her lungs are more completely developed. Babies born this week need extra attention, but almost all will be healthy.

Week 34: Protective coating gets thicker

The pasty white coating that protects your baby's skin — called vernix — gets thicker this week. When your baby is born, you may see traces of vernix firsthand, especially under the arms, behind the ears and in the groin area. The soft, downy hair that covered your baby under the vernix for the past few months is now almost completely gone.

Week 36: Baby can suck

Your baby is between 16 and 19 inches long and weighs about 6 to 6 1/2 pounds. Recent fat deposits have rounded out your baby's face, and your baby's powerful sucking muscles are ready for action. To prepare for birth, your baby may descend into the head-down position.

Week 37: Baby is full-term

By the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. As fat continues to accumulate, your baby's body will slowly become rounder.

Week 38: Organ function continues to improve

Your baby weighs nearly 7 pounds. ****His or her brain and nervous system are working better every day. This developmental process will continue through childhood and adolescence.****

Week 39: Placenta provides antibodies

Your baby has enough fat under the skin to maintain body temperature as long as there's a little help from you. The placenta continues to supply your baby with antibodies that will help fight infection the first six months after birth. If you breast-feed your baby, your milk will provide additional antibodies.

Week 40: Your due date arrives

Your baby may be 19 to 21 inches long and weigh 7 to 8 pounds.

Don't be alarmed if your due date comes and goes without incident. It's just as normal to deliver a baby a week or two late — or early — than it is to deliver right on time.

Sqrl's Color Key

RED - Development highlights.

GREEN - Things that indicate choice, free will, or distinctly human activity to me.

BLUE - This point was highlighted for the reference to development of the brain continuing into adolescence to substantiate my claim made previously in the thread.

For those who don't know the Mayo Clinic is among the most respected medical facilities in the world.  Very powerful people go to this facility when they are sick because they know, and the medical community knows, that they are among the very best minds in medicine capable of providing the best care modern medicine can offer..and sometimes even better than that as they are at the leading edge of numerous developments in medical technique, technology, and theory.

Anyways, you'll note the first green highlight is around week 22 which is 10 weeks after my cutoff.  This is, for several reasons, to do with my view that you must balance a person's right to medical choice with regard for a life that is in the process of becoming a human being.  The balance is to give women time to make a choice, to which I decided 12 weeks is more than enough time as it means they have around 8 weeks to think about it.  This ensures a choice is made well before the first sign (nearly 2.5 months before) but also that they have had plenty of time to consider their choice.  If you wanted to look at it mathematically I give the baby 60% of the time and the mother 40% of the time.  My view of the issue is to give more time to the baby than the mother due to her having made the choice that put both of them in the position, in fact my original range was something like 9 to 14 weeks and I changed it to 9 to 12....I'm actually considering moving it more, not because I think it gives too little time to the baby but too much to the mother who bears responsibility for the situation and (presumably) has the advantage rational thought.

Ok I see where you were going with it now, I do still disagree on the reasoning but I do agree on the point that it is largely semantic and fairly silly to argue for either of us.

So with that in mind let me rephrase using your terminology:

Would you agree that all abortion is destruction of "life" while some abortion is destruction of "a life" (particularly late term abortion)?

Relevant side note: New CNN poll says 68% do not want Roe V. Wade overturned.

So I think this lends support to the idea that while people find abortion fairly distasteful and might actually disapprove of it personally they do not want the government involved in enforcing it.

Sqrl, I have no objections to posting that wall post here. I thought about doing it myself at the time, but I just didn't do anything about it. So continue, and I will have to read your massive post in a bit.