Simple answer
Neither a gift nor a right.
It just is.
And it's largely dependant on the social structure:
A) A very authoritarian, atheistic, totalitarian government takes over the world. Life is, economically, an expendable commodity for the powers that be. Capital punishment is frequent, and unjust (by our standards). Life in this case is a GIFT.
B) A humane government illegalizes abortion, capital punishment, and makes every attempt to preserve life. Life in this case is a RIGHT.
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