2. Twenty Questions Environment

3. Twenty Questions 12345 678910 1112131415 1617181920

4. 1. What is artificial insemination? Injecting semen into the uterus by artificial means.

5. 2. What is conservation? Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment.

6. 3. What is creation? The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been created.

7. 4. What is an embryo? A fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception.

8. 5. What does environment mean? The surroundings in which plants and animals live and on which they depend to continue living.

9. 6. What is global warming? The increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect).

10. 7. What is meant by infertility? Not being able to have children.

11. 8. What is in-vitro fertilisation? The method of fertilising a human egg in a test tube.

12. 9. What are natural resources? Naturally occurring materials, such as oil and fertile land, which can be used by humans.

13. 10. What is organ donation? Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery.

14. 11. What is stewardship? Looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation.

15. 12. What is meant by surrogacy? 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.

16. 13. Why are some Muslims against infertility treatment? Some Muslims believe that having a child is not part of Allah’s plan for that couple. Most Muslims disagree with using donor sperm or eggs. All Muslims believe that surrogacy is wrong.

17. 14. Why are some Muslims for infertility treatment? IVF and AIH are allowed because the sperm and egg are from the married couple. Embryos destroyed during IVF are 14 days old and Islam teaches the soul does not enter the foetus until 120 days. God has given humans the knowledge and ability to create humans in this way.

18. 15. Why are some Christians against infertility treatment? No one has a right to have a baby if it is not God’s will. Treatment where fertilisation takes place outside the womb involves masturbation, which is a sin. When embryos are created, usually those not used are destroyed. Some feel this is murder. Many are against treatments where donated sperm or eggs are used because this is seen as adultery. Most do not accept surrogacy.

19. 16. Why are some Christians for infertility treatments? It allows fertile couples to experience the joy of having children, as God intended. – Quote Genesis – ‘be fruitful and multiply’ It depends on the situation and may be more acceptable for childless married couples. God gave humans the knowledge to create children artificially. Follows the Golden Rule of treat others as you would want to be treated.

20. 17. Why should Muslims take care of the environment? Allah put humans in charge of his creation. Adam was made as a khalifah or caretaker of the earth. The balance and unity of the earth must be maintained. All Muslims part of the worldwide Ummah and should look after the world for future generations. Animals are part of Allah’s creation. Allah will judge everyone on how they have lived, including how they have taken care of the world.

21. 18. Why should Christians take care of the environment? God created the world It is a gift from God. Share the resources of the world fairly because Jesus taught Christians to love and help each other. Conserve resources for future generations. Christians will be judged after death on how they have looked after the earth.

22. 19. What are the Christian arguments against transplant surgery? It goes against the sanctity of life, people should not ‘play God’. It interferes with God’s plan for every human being. The organs are part of a person created by God and it would be wrong to replace part of God’s creation. Some argue that it is wrong to replace organs if a person has deliberately caused the damage to themselves, for example through alcohol (liver damage).

23. 20. What are the Muslim arguments for transplant surgery? Some Muslims say that organ donation is okay to save the life of another. Live donations are okay because people can survive with one kidney, for example. So their resurrection would be unaffected. Many Muslims would allow living donor transplants to close relatives. In 1995 Shariah law said Muslims can carry donor cards as the Council supports organ transplants to alleviate pain or save life. If there is no donor care, the next of kin can give permission for the organs of a loved one to be used. (1995)