Environmental and medical issues

1. Environmental and medical issues • Global Warming, Pollution and the problem this causes. • Infertility Treatment and religious attitudes towards it. • Transplant Surgery and religious attitudes towards it.

2. Key Words • Global Warming: The increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect). • Natural Resources: Naturally occurring materials for example oil and fertile land which can be used by humans. • Creation: The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been created. • Environment: The surroundings in which plants and animals live and on which they depend to continue living. • Stewardship: Looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation. • Conservation: Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. • Artificial Insemination: Injecting semen into the uterus (womb) by artificial methods. • Embryo: A fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception. • Infertility: Not being able to have children. • In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF): The method of fertilising an egg in a test tube. • Surrogacy: An arrangement where a woman bears a child for another woman. • Organ Donation: Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery.

3. Global Warming The increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect)

4. IMPACT? Extreme weather is becoming more EXTREME! Sea levels are rising, seasons changing. Glaciers melt! Sea ice is disappearing. CLIMATE CHANGE More flooding More droughts More famine Rapid spread of diseases More refugees Destruction of ecosystems

5. BURNING FOSSIL FUELS! Natural Climate Change Solar Activity CAUSES?

6. “The good news is that we know exactly what needs to be done to stop climate change” Individuals, Government, Scientists SOLUTIONS? CUT CARBON EMISSIONS Low-carbon cars Reducing use of fossil fuels Use energy-saving light bulbs etc New technology

7. Pollution LAND 25 million tonnes of rubbish a year are dumped on streets and along the side of the road. Every person in the UK throws away four times their body weight in rubbish a year. AIR Cars are the biggest cause of air pollution. They emit a variety of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. SEA Raw sewage and radioactive waste have been discharged into the sea.

8. Natural Resources Renewable: Can replace themselves Non-Renewable: Cannot be replaced once used Over Fishing Rainforests Fossil Fuels

9. SOLUTION? “Do I really need to buy this?!” Local LESS DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION REPLACE WHAT IS USED SUSTAINABLE LIVES!

10. Christians, Muslims and the Environment Stewardship: Looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation. KHALIFAH: Responsibility that Allah has given Muslims to care for the world; the person who acts as Allah’s steward on earth. “Rule over the birds of the air and the fish of the sea” (Genesis) “But waste not by excess: for God loves not the wasters”. (Surah 6:141) The Bible • God made the earth perfectly • God gives human beings ‘dominion’ – the position of power on the earth • The earth is a gift from God • Conserve resources for future generations QUR’AN: • Allah created the world and everything in it for a purpose; it is part of Allah’s plan. • Muslims part of the ‘Ummah’ (worldwide family) – consider future generations too • The balance in the earth should be maintained and keep unity Some Christians and Muslims believe God/Allah will judge them on how they have cared for creation Jesus taught through the Sermon on the Mount that it is every Christians duty to share the worlds resources fairly and with care!

11. IVF In-vitro fertilization known as IVF Egg and sperm are taken from a couple, fertilized in a laboratory and then placed in the womb. This helps women with medical problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes, to conceive. • Artificial insemination by husband known as AIH Sperm is taken from the husband and placed in the woman’s uterus. This can help couples who have difficulty conceiving for no obvious reason. Sperm donated to a clinic is placed in the woman’s uterus. This can help couples where the male is infertile – unable to have children. Artificial insemination by donor known as AID Egg donation • A fertilized egg is created in the laboratory using an egg donated by another woman but using the partner’s sperm. This is of help when a woman does not ovulate. Sperm Donor

12. Christianity and IVF

13. Islam and IVF Most Muslims believe infertility is like a disease that needs a cure. Also embryos are destroyed before Muslims believe they have a soul. However, all children should have a right to know their parents – therefore reject donors and surrogacy. AID: Not acceptable – Like adultery as man is not married to the woman. The Qur’an teaches that everyone has the right to Lineage. Surrogacy and Egg Donation = SAME IVF: Acceptable as long as the egg and sperm belong to the husband. Extra embryos can be destroyed but only BEFORE 120 DAYS! AIH ACCEPTABLE! CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO IDENTITY! Adoption!!! Sperm Donor

14. Transplant Surgery It would be fantastic if something amazing came out of my death. Knowing that my death is going to help others live a good life makes me happy! I think giving life is far better than wasting organs that would otherwise be buried or cremated. Operations like transplant surgery cost a fortune. The money should be spent on curing the disease or changing the way people live. Lots more people would benefit from this! I want to be buried with all my own body parts. I don’t think it is right for people to take parts of me when I am dead.

15. Transplant Surgery: Organ Donation DEAD! • Lungs, Heart, Liver, Eyes, Skin etc • One dead donor saves 9 lives and helps many others. donor ALIVE! • Kidney, Blood, Bone Marrow etc. • This often has little impact on the donor and is often donated to sick family members.

16. Christianity and Transplant Surgery The Bible states that humans are created by God in his images. People have NO RIGHT to interfere with God’s creation. Some Christians believe it goes against the SANCTITY OF LIFE because we are ‘playing God’ and interfering. It would be wrong to replace a part of God’s creation. Some Christians say: When we have two organs, giving one is okay because it is following Jesus' teachings of loving your neighbour. Raises no problem in the afterlife – our souls go to heaven Most Christians believe that the gift of life is precious and it is right to make every effort to preserve life. It is always a positive action. The Golden Rule teaches Christians to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. For some, this teaching makes organ donations acceptable. Every human being is equal.

17. Islam and Transplant Surgery The Qur’an teaches that on the Last Day, Allah will resurrect everybody bodily. It is understood that nothing should be removedfrom a person’s body after death. Allah is the creator of life and he has a plan for everyone. Humans have no right to alter Allah’s planabout life and death. Islam teaches that it is every Muslim’s duty to alleviate suffering and save life. Organ donation and transplant can do this. In Islam, Organ donation on a living donor may be permitted, so long as it does not risk the donor’s life. In fact it is considered an act of charity. This would not affect them in the afterlife. Some (very few) Muslims believe that all forms of transplant surgery is acceptable because Shari’ah Laws it can save lives and is a God given technology.

18. CHOOSE your set of questions based upon C & D (Minute per mark)