Is an amoeba dead or alive? A single celled creature. Small, cannot be seen, but has a metoblism. It is alive.
Soon after fertilization, we have the following:
Metabolism
Growth
Reproduction(division)
At each stage in the womb, the zygote/embryo/fetus consumes food and disposes of waste.
Life: the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, esp. metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment.
At each stage in the womb, the zygote/embryo/fetus consumes food and disposes of waste.
"Is killing a blob of tissue that may become a person if given the chance really murder? "
“If given the chance”? Sounds like you answered your own question to me.