Criminal law protection of life: from the human embryo to genetic well-being

The article deals with the issues of criminal law protection of human life. The author comes to the conclusion that the moments of the beginning and end of human life do not coincide with the boundaries of its criminal legal protection. At the same time, a person’s life receives full protection only from the moment of his birth. The contribution of I. Ya. Kozachenko in addressing the issue of the need for independent criminal law protection of the human embryo at the intrauterine stage of life. In this regard, the position is supported on the advisability of amending Art. 123 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the establishment of criminal liability for intentionally causing death to a human embryo. In addition, the article supports the proposal of I. Ya. Kozachenko on the establishment of criminal responsibility for encroachments on human genetic well-being. It is noted that human life should be protected not only within the framework of one individual person, but within the framework of the entire human race.