Is the human embryo already a person? The possibilities of abortion and reproductive medicine, the destroying of the embryo for personal reasons, or for "high-level" medical research purposes, give this question an existential urgency that plunges many people into conflicts of conscience and ignites passionate discussions and public protests. Jürgen Boomgaarden gives a differentiated answer to the embryo status question from a protestant perspective. On the background of a broad presentation of theological, biological, philosophical, legal, and sociological insights and positions, this book unfolds a systematic theology of unborn human life.