If it was handled in a similar matter as fencing is (protection, blunted weapons, to first "blood" only), I could get behind it.
To the death though... nah.
Let's avoid the issue, but then you contradict yourself in your next sentence?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...iousness-arise covers the subject.
tl;dr: Consciousness arises after birth.
"In order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must be intolerant of intolerance." Paradox of tolerance