Although life can be defined in many different ways, most approaches agree that it involves a number of common characteristics, such as the ability to grow and develop, to reproduce, to respond to stimuli in the environment, to maintain a metabolism itself and to evolve over time.

Furthermore, life is of inestimable value to humans and other creatures who share the planet with us. It offers a wealth of experiences and emotions, from joy and love to pain and suffering. It allows us to explore the world around us, build meaningful relationships with other people and animals, and create art, science and technology that expand our frontiers of knowledge and understanding.