The article analyses the public debate (in Brazil) about the right to life in the context of legal authorization for human embryonic stem cell research and the debate about abortion with focus on religious actors and values. The paper examines the legislative and judiciary debate about Biossecurity Law and the public hearing of ADPF 54 which dealt with abortion of anencephalus. This documental research analyses the transcription of public hearing of ADPF 54, and records of legislative process at National Congress and the action of unconstitutionality (ADI 3510) at the Federal Supreme Court. The results show the core value of life in the center of the argument, besides the diversity in the action of religious agents, the hegemony of Catholic Church, and the rise of Evangelical Protestants and Kardec Spiritualists.
Religion; Human embryonic stem cells; Abortion of anencephalus; Law of Biossecurity; ADI 3510; ADPF 54 (action for anticipation of birth of anencephalic fetus)