New research has demonstrated that babies begin to learn language while still in the womb. That makes what a BBC article calls a “foetus” – although later there is a slipup and reference is made to “babies” – a person, a defenceless person,  a defenceless person whose life should be protected by the law:

Now researchers in the US and Sweden have found evidence that we start learning language before we’re even born.

The study discovered that in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, foetuses are listening to their mothers communicate. And when they are born, they can show what they’ve heard.

This does little to make Canada’s lack of protection for the unborn any less shameful or Stephen Harper’s refusal to even discuss it any less deplorable:

Conservative backbenchers are pushing to reopen the abortion debate, despite public assurances by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that the issue is settled.

More than 20 Conservative MPs and senators appeared at an anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill on Thursday. Among them was Mark Warawa, the MP whose push for a vote on sex-selective abortion – and the right to simply raise the issue in the House of Commons – led other backbenchers to complain publicly they were being silenced by the Prime Minister’s Office.

[…..]

The abortion issue leaves Mr. Harper with a dilemma. Asked for comment, his office declined to address the MPs’ statements but said the issue won’t be reopened.