Is a microscopic human whose mother has no idea about worthy of legal protection? If so, as much as a later term fetus? As much as a newborn?
My foot is just a clump of cells. I guess my mom could have whacked off my foot if it were her choice as my mother and not faced prosecution for abuse.
Of course. Though it is hard to provide "legal protection" to someone whose existence hasn't even been detected. But this is not a valid point anyway, because if this person's existence hadn't even been detected then there is no imminent outside threat to it.
If so, as much as a later term fetus? As much as a newborn?
Yes, and yes.