REVISION GUIDE RELIGION AND MEDICAL ETHICS
Focus
The topic we explored the issues of euthanasia, suicide, abortion, contraception, fertility treatment and contraception, and Animal Testing. The issues are explored in the context of the SANCTITY OF LIFE (the idea that all life is God given, valuable, SACRED).
Key Points
· Christians believe that all life is sacred, because it is God given. (SANCTITY OF LIFE). It is always wrong to take a life, even your own life.
· ABORTION or termination is legal in the Britain up until the 24th week of pregnancy
· Christians have different views about abortion. Their views depend on when they think that life begins.
· Many Christians believe that life begins at conception and therefore abortion is wrong. (Roman Catholic view).
· Some Christians regard abortion as the “lesser of two evils” (E.g. some Anglicans)
· EUTHANASIA refers to the assisted death of terminally ill people, sometimes known as “assisted suicide”. VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA is illegal in Britain, although it is permitted in Switzerland.
· Most Christians regard EUTHANASIA as wrong. They argue that God, and only God can give and take human life. Christians would argue that PALLIATIVE CARE to ease the patients suffering is preferable to euthanasia. A terminally ill person might need to come to terms with their condition. Suffering can bring the person closer to God.
· Many people (including some Christians regard this idea as wrong. They believe that it is a terminally ill person’s human right to decide when and how they should die)
· FERTILITY TEREATMENT refers to the use of medical techniques such as IVF, AIH and AID to help induce a pregnancy when natural methods seem to be failing.
· Christians have different views about fertility treatment. Many think that it is wrong and that God should decide when life begins, not medicine or individuals.
· Other Christians accept fertility treatment, arguing that it is good for people to take advantage of medical and scientific methods to help produce new life.
· The issue of DISCARDED EMBRYOS is very controversial. Many Christians regard embryos as human lives. They would say that discarding embryos was wrong.
· Some Christians argue that fertility treatment is only acceptable for married couples. The use of DONORS SPERM (AID) would be thought of as wrong, as the donor is not married to the mother.
· The use of ANIMALS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH is another controversial issue.
· Most Christians accept this, as they believe that animals do not have souls. They were created for human use: “Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea…and every living creature.” Genesis 1.28
· Some Christians argue, that as STEWARDS, we should protect and look after the animals. They might follow the example of St FRANCIS OF ASSISSI. When given a fish by a fisherman, he released it into the sea, telling it to praise God.
· Most Christians are against ANIMAL TESTING FOR COSMETIC PRODUCTION.
· All Christians would argue that animals should be treated humanely.
· Key Teachings
· Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis
· "You shall not murder. ‘Exodus 20.13
· "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away” Job 1.21
· For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139
· “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” 1 Corinthians
· "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart”. Jeremiah 1.5
· “Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over. every living creature…” Genesis
How to
· Read the questions carefully, and answer them
· Do questions a-c quickly – 5-8 minutes
· Use as many key points and teachings as possible for (c) questions. Explain the meanings of terms used
· For (d) questions, ensure that you explain, use evidence and explore different Christian ideas/perspectives
· For (e) questions, ensure that you have explained TWO points of view, each one backed by examples and evidence
Other Useful Points
· The issues are all related to the question of the SANCTITY OF LIFE. You should include reference to this in your answer.
· The question of when life begins is also important. Does life begin at conception, birth, or some time in between?
· Ensure you are able to refer to different Christian teachings.