Yes, a fetus is a human being. It is a member of the species Homo sapiens from the moment of conception. However, the legal and ethical implications of this biological fact are complex and highly debated.
Biological Perspective
Scientifically, a fetus is a developing human organism. From conception, the zygote contains the complete human genome and begins the process of cellular division and differentiation, eventually developing into a fully formed human being. Multiple sources confirm this, including medical research showing the continuous development from embryo to fetus to infant. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth The presence of human DNA and the ongoing development of organs and systems solidify this biological classification. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2672893/
Legal and Ethical Perspectives
While biologically human, the legal status and ethical considerations surrounding a fetus are multifaceted. Legal personhood, with associated rights, is not universally granted to fetuses. As noted by Aude Bertrand-Mirkovic, while a prenatal child is a human person, they do not automatically have legal personhood because their rights can be protected through objective law. [Prenatal personhood] The debate centers on the point at which a fetus should be granted the same rights and protections as a born human. This is a subject of ongoing ethical and legal discussion with varying viewpoints based on philosophical and religious beliefs. https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/20/2-20/ethically-speaking-is-a-fetus-a-person/ Furthermore, laws regarding fetal rights vary significantly across jurisdictions globally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_rights
Summary
Biologically, a fetus is unequivocally human. The question of its legal and ethical status, however, remains a complex and contested issue, with ongoing debate regarding the precise point at which it should be granted full legal personhood.
