New life: God's call--human responsibility

After considering the relationship between ethical principles and their concretization in the decision of the conscience, the author names human dignity as a formal principle, and tutiorism as a material principle in the face of the beginning and end of human life. The debate which has flared up in the Federal Republic of Germany concerning abortion may be illustrated by the diverse stances adopted by bishops, physicians, legal experts and women toward the statutory provisions. A number of suggestions for help of a general nature, based on the commandment to love, and for concrete action, follow. These find their final expression in 12 synoptic theses.