When does life begin?

Does life begin at conception because that is when chemical processes in the cells begin? Consider for a moment that chemistry does not stop at death. Muscle chemistry continues for hours after death and hair and fingernails are reported to continue to get longer even as chemical processes decompose the body. Chemistry then cannot be our indicator of life. Secondly, life in the womb is referenced in the Bible but conception occurs in the fallopian tube - not in the womb. Compare the embryo to a pollinated plant seed blowing in the wind. Neither will develop into a life until it takes up root in the ground or womb as the case may be. All religions teach that our soul leaves the body after the heart stops. Human life then, must begin when the heart beats and God gives us our soul.

Sandra wrote:
Many thoughts in today's time has perverted ideas of "life" or may we say "viable life". So, to effectively address the question, let's ask each other this; When did my child's life begin or when did my own life begin? Without conception and the fertilized egg, none of us would exist. Life begins with conception. Shouldn't the question be - At what point should we respect life or not respect life? Or, when is life viable. As, for me I consider all life valuable even at the most vulnerable embryonic stage.