The phrase Sanctity of life refers to the idea that life is sacred, mostly used by the pro-life side in the political and moral debates over abortion in the United States and the United Kingdom.

In contrast to the consistent life ethic, the sanctity of life principle is usually reserved for non-criminal human beings. Critics argue that the sanctity of life principle is undermined by its inconsistencies particular with regards to the death penalty and vegetarianism/veganism/animal rights.

Bibliography

• Peter Singer, Unsanctifying Human Life