--- Daniel Mayer maveric149@yahoo.com wrote:
--- steve v vertigosteve@yahoo.com wrote:
Question: Is it POV...
Yes it is since the term is loaded, not unlike 'partial-birth abortion' vs 'intact dilation and extraction' or using the term 'unborn baby' instead of fetus/embryo/zygote. The reason; the non-medical terms were designed to confer a value judgment.
Well, I dont think others here will agree with your reading of NPOV. Likewise your statement is confusing, because you dont keep "loaded" in context--in politics, I assume -- however politics isnt the only context of the debate. All of it has bearing. Likewise you imply that the medical-technical terms like "IDE" are somehow neutral, or otherwise non-judgemental. Perhaps this is best reworded that both sides deliberately obfuscate the terms in political attempts to either de-humanize or humanize the fetus. NPOV relevancy: Its important not to confuse cold, technical, clinical, "medical" terms with NPOV terms. Note that bedside manner requires doctors to echo the sentiments of the parent(s): Ie. abortionists might call it "tissue," while OBGYNs might call it a "baby."
'Human life' is also an odd term to use in this context since any cell from a human is by definition human life. 'Independent human life' is another thing altogether but in terms of gestation, would only include a viable fetus.
I dont think this is correct in the most precise or even common use of the terms. While "human life" requires "human (animal) cells", the cells themselves arent particularly human (as Daniel pointed out). Biologically speaking, theres little to distinguish a chimp from any given human who might look like one. So, we're limited within reason to the term "human" as its generally accepted, and not putting undue emphasis on interesting intellectual caveats. "Life" simply refers to stuff that's alive, meaning "if its not alive, nobody will make a stink." "Viability," is an important factor within the general context of finding a compromise between the "orgasm or birth" extremes.
-SV
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