.
I think you might enjoy Peter Singer's book "Practical Ethics." He discusses the issues in great depth, but in ways that allow the reader to think for herself and construct her values with the consistency that derives from a founding principle of her own choosing.
I think all sentient lives do matter equally, and for me that includes all animals.
For me, that does not mean that life itself should be valued above quality of life and well-being.
So I support the right to contraception and abortion. I support the right to self-euthanasia - but only under very strict legal guidelines to prevent abuse of those rights.
I believe animals should be treated far more humanely around the world than they currently are.
But there are almost no moral issues that can hold absolute in all situations. For instance, if I had a child that was clearly threatened by an enemy, I would not hesitate to defend, or, if there was no other choice, kill. If I was in a major car accident and the limits of resources forced me to make grim choices, I would follow the protocols of triage.
That is not the general consensus Baba. If it were there would be no wars. Thank you for your reply! :)
Thank you for your thoughtful answer hartfire. I know what I would like to do if certain circumstances prevailed. The thing is you never know for sure what you WILL do until the situation is at hand. That's the hard part. Deciding. 
Agreed.
I have rarely been in a serious dilemma.
We don't know what we're really made of until an emergency strikes.
There was a famous story in the news, somewhere around the late 70's I think, July 2nd.
A petrol tanker was driving past a popular beach in summer in Spain. It blew up.
At the time an old man was minding his baby grandson while the parents were having a swim.
The grandfather had the presence of mind and speed of reaction to throw the bay as far as he could into the sea. The baby and the parents survived unharmed. Everyone else on the beach was incinerated. His action was what I call presence of mind. I very much doubt that I could ever measure up to that mark, even though I wish I could.
Wow! I think I'd be immobilized/frozen and do nothing. That seems to be a very automatic response. I expect he had a very good throwing arm. But maybe I underestimate myself. People have done miraculous tings like become incredibly strong and picked up a car from the back to free someone pinned underneath. I have no idea where such strength comes from or such quick reactions. Thank you for your thoughtfuly reply hartfire! :)
