[Question_Assumptions]

Giving a fertilized egg the same legal rights as a newborn. That is either a narrow scientific view or a religious view.

Not at all. By the way, Michael Tooley would grant the same legal rights to both, too -- to be killed. You should read his classic essay "In Defense of Abortion and Infanticide" (it used to be in most major college morals and ethics texts). It is a masterwork in what it means to reject drawing the line at fertilization.

[palmer]

I've heard of it, but not read it. I reject any argument that proposes science or logic to determine humanity. I use a subjective but simple procedure: does the fetus have human characteristics? If so, those trigger my emotion of empathy and I want to protect it. As the human characteristics strengthen, I want to increase protection and sanctions for killing the fetus.