From: Sam Korn smoddy@gmail.com
Referring to a "human fetus" as "human" doesnt appear to be controversial
Referring to it as "a human fetus" (as opposed to, say, "a chimpanzee fetus") is non-controversial. Referring to is a "a human", quite
obviously
is.
Jay.
Surely there has to be some difference between using human as a noun and as an adjective. Using "human" as a noun to refer to a foetus (i.e. "a foetus in a womb is a human"), has a subtle but important difference to using it as an adjective (i.e. "a foetus in a womb is human"). The first implies personhood, the second does not.
Is this a viable compromise?
As opposed to "a foetus in a womb is chimpanzee"? "A foetus in womb is inhuman"? Frankly, I can't see a meaningful usage which wouldn't imply personhood. The example you provide doesn't give any useful information, and, in fact, if found in an article would appear to be promoting exactly that, personhood.
Jay.