Is being alive to be determined by location -- as in, inside the womb or out of it? Is it to be determined by how much clarity of thought we suppose the being possesses? Is it to be determined by whether one is dependent upon another for its life? (In other words, do we say if it cannot live outside the womb, it is not alive?)
These things do not determine being alive, but rather, those question determine just what they ask for: whether the being is inside the womb or outside of it, whether we think the being has clarity of thought or doesn't, and whether the unborn is reliant for survival by being within the mother's womb.
If we are to determine whether the precious little package is alive, we must put it to the tests and standard we do with any other life. Does it have a heartbeat? Does it think any at all? Does it take in oxygen?
We know it has a heartbeat, and we know it has brainwaves. That leaves but one question, then. Does it take in oxygen? The answer is, Yes, it does, through the mother.
If the unborn satisfies the criteria for being alive, why would we say that it isn't?
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