When Does (the Sanctity of) Life Begin? Faith Baptist
Theological Seminary When Does (the Sanctity of) Life Begin? D.
R. Boylan, Ph.D. When life begins is a question of current
interest in theology, science and the media. The issue is
clouded by emotion and personal beliefs. Some contend that life
begins at conception. Some believe life begins at birth. Others
say the beginning of life occurs in various stages of individual
development. The "beginning of life" is germane to stem cell
research, cloning, abortion rights, and euthanasia. As with many
controversial issues, a clear understanding is seldom achieved.
Definitions are, many times, drafted to suit a particular
personal belief or political position. Nevertheless, a clear
understanding of the meaning of life and of life processes is
necessary to answer the question, "When does life begin?" It
should be first understood that life does not begin at
conception, birth or some intermediate stage of an organism's
development. Life began many years ago. It was