The gradualist view holds the opinion that the foetus is a potential human. In this view, the moral significance of harming the embryo increases as it develops during pregnancy right up until birth. According to this view, early embryos have less protection rights than embryos that are capable of existing independently with medical help. Various moments in the development of the foetus are considered a transition to a point where the embryo becomes worthy of protection, e.g. the start of brain activity. The gradualist view of the human embryo is used mostly throughout the world in legislation to distinguish when abortion is permitted (Dooley and McCarthy,
