In essence, we are all just lumps of cells...just at different stages of development. But to go with what you mentioned...

There's a beating heart after 3 weeks. Most women don't even know they are pregnant by that time. A brain isn't much farther after that. Here's a question for you...since when does a particular organ convey humanity? If someone had an artificial heart, are they regarded as no longer human? How about for those moments when a person is having a heart transplant, and a machine is running their circulatory system. Are they so much garbage?

It is very intersting, however that you brought up the development of "special". That is why I am anti-elective abortion. Because none of you (you refering to pro-choice advocates) can point to a distinct place where that "special" develops. When does it go from being a "clump of cells" to a person. The exact moment...exact mind you, when one thing is different from another. There is only one point, one exact & identifiable moment, when this is the case. That point is conception. That is when what was is no longer, and what is goes forward to be something completely new.

We do not base human rights off of a stage of development. We afford newborns, who are far from self-aware, the same rights as we do those who are. We afford those with mental disabilities the same rights as those who have full capabilities. Why is an unborn person (person as defined as a completely seperate individual) not afforded the same rights? Your arguement that its "just a clump of cells" is foolish, as its not "just a clump of cells". Instead, it is a person who will one day have the capability to talk to you.

Oh, and by the way, there is a *huge* difference between a human and dog embryo. Just because things may look similar to the untrained eye does not mean that they are.

~Jeordam