Issues concerning the Start and End of Life
The difference between a secularist/humanist outlook and a religious one is often very plain in matters concerning the beginning and end of life - bioethical questions concerning stem-cell and genetic research, medically-aided conception, abortion, physician-asisted suicide and euthanasia, etc.Â
The root of the difference lies in the religious view of life as a conditional gift from God by contrast with the humanist one of life as our own to optimise according to human considerations - and the secularist view that the state should not interfere in such matters on the basis of any religion or belief.
See also our work in the Council of Europe.