Right to Life, The

The first right of every human individual, and the foundation and condition for the exercise of all other rights (and thus a human right). In the Catholic Tradition, the right to life is presumed from the moment of human generation. Recent advances in science and technology have spurred some debate regarding when and for how long this "moment" occurs. The debate, however, may have little practical relevance for Catholic teaching. In Catholic teaching, any discrimination against human individuals or violation of this right on any grounds or in any stage of human growth or decline constitutes a grave injustice and is prohibited. While the right to life is absolute, the specific duty to preserve or protect life is not. Rather, the means used to protect and preserve a particular life must take account of concrete circumstances and be "objectively proportionate to the prospect of improvement" (Evangelium Vitae, n. 65), in accordance with the principle of proportionate/disproportionate means.

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