Environment and Medical Issues Revision

Topics Global Warming Pollution Natural resources Stewardship Infertility Transplant Surgery

in-vitro fertilisation the act of creating the universe or the universe which has been created creation the surroundings in which plants and animals live and on which they depend to live Environment an arrangement whereby a woman bears a child on behalf of another woman OR where an egg is donated and fertilised by the husband through IVF and then implanted into the wife’s uterus Surrogacy the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect) global warming a fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception Embryo protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment conservation injecting semen into the uterus by artificial means artificial insemination not being able to have children Infertility the method of fertilising a human egg in a test tube in-vitro fertilisation naturally occurring materials, such as oil and fertile land, which can be used by humans natural resources giving organs to be used in transplant surgery organ donation looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation Stewardship

GLOBAL WARMING This is also known as ‘Climate Change’ It is the increase in the temperature of the Earth. Some scientists believe that humans affect climate temperature by burning fossil fuels. Some scientists think that the rise in temperature is natural and nothing to do with human activity.

Effects include Solutions Polar ice caps melting Drought Extreme weather Extinction of some plants and animals Solutions Individually reduce the amount of energy we use. Governments and organisations to set laws to make us reduce our energy use. Scientists to do research about the causes and consequences.

NATURAL RESOURCES These are naturally occurring materials such as oil and fertile land. Renewable resources – go on forever a. Wind b. Solar c. Wave d. Water Non Renewable – cannot be replaced a. Coal b. Oil c. Gas Advantages – will never run out and are ‘clean’ energy. Disadvantages – cannot be used everywhere Advantages – some can be recycled. They are useful for transport, electricity, buildings. Disadvantages – one day they will run out.

Issues Solutions – Humans very reliant on non-renewable resources If they are used at their current rate will run out very quickly. Enormous impact on the planet and human life. Solutions – Conservation = use more renewable energy sources; conserve electricity; walk or cycle; products from renewable resources.

POLLUTION This means the contamination of the environment.. It is mostly caused by waste-products humans do not want. It includes, unrecyclable waste, littering, radioactive waste, vehicle fumes, waste from factories, chemicals, sewage, oil and fertilisers that get into water. They damage and spoil the earth, and affect the plants and animals.

Solutions Create less waste Alternative energy sources Government Action

STEWARDSHIP God gave humans stewardship over the world – they must look after it for future generations. Both the Qur’an and the Bible say….… Take care of the environment as it is a gift from God Share resources because Jesus taught us to love and help each other Conserve resources for future generations Reduce pollution Care for all the plants and animals

Both Christians and Muslims believe……………. Judgement Day Both Christians and Muslims believe……………. Take care of the environment as it is a gift from God/Allah Share resources because Jesus/Prophet Muhammad taught us to love and help each other Conserve resources for future generations Reduce pollution Care for all the plants and animals

What Religious People do Support environmental organisations Recycle and reduce energy use Plant trees and crops for the good of others Do not over use the Earth’s resources Share resources equally Not damage the natural environment

This means not being able to have children. INFERTILITY This means not being able to have children. There are a wide range of medical treatments available for this. Some are controversial and raise issues. Some types of infertility treatment include IVF – egg is taken and fertilised in a test tube then placed back in womb. AIH – the husbands sperm is medically placed into the mother. AID donated sperm is medically placed inside the mother. Egg or embryo donation – these come from donors and are placed inside the mothers womb. Surrogacy – another woman will carry the baby

Issues Expensive No guarantees Uncomfortable side effects Stress on relationships Should parents know biological parents?

Religious Responses Against God/Allah has a plan for everyone Both Christians and Muslims can agree or disagree with infertility treatment. Against God/Allah has a plan for everyone Masturbation is used to collect sperm donations and it is a sin Donated sperm can be seen as adultery Most do not accept surrogacy Children are very important to religious families. Many embryos are destroyed during treatments – against the sanctity of life. Golden Rule – kindest thing to try and do God/Allah gave us the knowledge so we should use it to help others

TRANSPLANT SURGERY Issues This is when body parts from one person, dead or alive, are used to replace body parts in someone else. Issues It is expensive and limited form of treatment How do you decide who receives the transplant? Should it be the person who has been waiting the longest? The youngest? Or the one with the best match? What about people who drink or smoke?.

Organ Donation It is voluntary in the UK. Most organ donations come from dead donors. Liver, kidney and bone marrow can be from a live donor.

Christian Attitudes A body is not needed for the afterlife It is a loving and charitable act It is a way of showing gratitude to God for the gift of life It goes against the sanctity of life It interferes with God’s plan for every human beings It would be wrong to replace part of God’s creation.

Muslim Attitudes The Qur’an teaches that the body should be buried soon after death and should be not be interfered with. Muslims believe the body will be resurrected on the last day and the organs will therefore be needed. It goes against the sanctity of life Some argue that organ donation is ok if it is done to save the life of others because it is what Allah would wish. Live donations are less controversial because people can survive with one kidney. Many would allow living donor transplants to close relatives.