Euthyphros dilemma...

[Neo-Scholastic]

No, I really do understand because I agree with you! You must start with some basal value(s) as the foundation. The first such basal value is that which is indispensable: life. You don't assign value to life in comparison to anything else. It serves as the basis of all derivative values.

So if our genetic inheritance through evolution gave us that one starting point - as an intelligent social creature, then we can derive all morality from that point.

No God required.

That depends on whether you limit your definition of life to a sustained electrochemical reaction on which mental content supervenes or whether mental content meaningfully interacts with biological processes.