[optimistically_conservative]

they serve community at large, people in general, including those that are not yet born.

This, I've been told is a requirement for a profession, be it doctors, lawyers, engineers or academics.

Wouldn't they then all deserve the same protection?

[TopQuark]

No, none of these professions serve the community at large. The doctor repairs a body of a particular person, the lawyer works (whether or not pro bono) for a particular client, and the engineer designs, test or maintains a particular device. None of them creates new fundamental knowledge.