I would argue that human life begins at the moment of conception. At least this is the argument put forwrad in this book which is titled The Scale of the Very Small 1. http://www.dabase.org/small.htm

Unfortunately this book is out of print.

The author argues that to truly serve your child both parents should enter into a period of comprehensive preparation and purification well before even beginning to engage in the sexing act of conceiving.
He also argues that the state of consciousness of both parents at the MOMENT of conception has a profound influence on the child's psyche altogether. And that the combined psycho-energetic pattern of both parents at the time of conception affects which entity, or discarnate "soul" will be born via these two parents. In other words the new incarnating entity actually chooses its parents.

He alsp points out that it is the Spiritual duty and obligation of both parents, but obviously especially the mother, to serve the incarnating entity from the moment of conception onwards. A very profound responsibility altogether.

Well then. This gells neatly with my own findings. Life simply 'is'. We're all 'part of the one'. Maybe there is some warm benevelent external deity out there that cares uniquely for each individual in each district, on each continent, on each planet, in each galaxy....hey, omnipotence, right? Hmm. Right. How about this....We're aware, clever monkeys, et al. Thats it. Period. All the 'spiritual/god' stuff is something that WE created in little tiny increments over the millenia as a 'management tool' to soothe the individual and to control the masses. Bread and circusses. Smoke and mirrors. Baffle 'em with bullsh**. The primary purpose would have been to control female sexual behaviour and reproduction to preserve the systems relating to ownership of land, inheritance, etc. When in doubt, study monkey behaviour. Pretty much all the questions of human relationships and behaviour can be answered right there. Very sobering. Very humbling. Want to live god like? Just be nice to everyone you meet, everywhere, every day. Whammo. You're in heaven. Dont, and you're pretty much experiencing hell on earth. Know which I prefer. Mind you, feel kind of sorry for all the religous fundies in all their various manifestations. They're all wrong. Again. Bummer. They'll froth at the mouth on this one, but hey, when dont they? Happy days.

A good article.

The conclusion we come to as to when human life begins depends on the belief we wish to support when we address the problem.

See http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=6189

Sorry. Wrong reference given above. See

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=5860

What has religious committment have to do with when human life begins?

It is a basic scientific fact that if left alone a sperm or ovum does not turn into a bouncing baby boy or girl.

A zygote however, if left alone to do its thing, will.

Human life starts at conception and life at all stages deserves our protection for we know not when we will be dependent on those around us.

Sickness, old age, etc.

Life is the prime value we must protect it.

By the way, I hope the author understands that arguments that clothe themselves in insults and politically correct stereotypes do not magically increase the argument's force.

A zygote will not, if left alone, turn into a bouncing baby boy or girl.

It needs the co-operation of a healthy mother for that.