6 - Environmental And Medical Ethics Flashcards
Effects of global warming
Ice caps melting - land submerged, drought/flooding - food shortages, extreme weather, extinction
Causes of global warming
Burning of fossil fuels, could be natural
Solutions to global warming
Individually - turn off appliances
Government - set laws to reduce energy (factories)
Scientists - research into causes and consequences to understand
Examples of pollution
Waste - takes up space spread disease e.g. New tech
Land - poor plant growth threatens animal habitats e.g. Littering, pesticides, radioactive
Air - acid rain, smog e.g. Burning fossil fuels, vehicle fumes
Water - plants and animals living there, contaminated rivers etc. e.g. Oil, fertilisers
Solutions to pollution
Reduce, reuse, recycle, Alternative energy resources - solar, wind, Government action - anti-pollution laws with severe penalties, Alternative manufacturing methods - research into ways that cause less waste
Advantages of renewable resources
Never run out, provide “clean” energy - no pollution
Disadvantages of renewable resources
Weather dependant, more expensive
Advantages of non-renewable resources
Some can be recycled, useful for humans - transport, electricity etc.
Disadvantages of non-renewable resources
Scarce - will run out one day, cause pollution
Issues with resources
Human reliable on non- renewable sources
Will run out, will have an impact on planet and human life
Possible solutions
Conserve electricity, use renewable, walk/cycle, use products made from renewable resources
Why Christians should care for the environment
God gave humans stewardship, he gave us responsibility, Bible teaches: encironment gift from God, Jesus taught to love and help each other so we must share resources, conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, animals and plants also God’s creation, judgement
Why Muslims care for the environment
Allah put humans in charge - should respect this gift, Adam - Khalifah, balance must be maintained - Allah created everything to have unity, all part of ummah - look after for future generations, animals also Allah’s creation, judgement day
How Muslims care for the environment
Supporting environmental charities, recycling, reducing energy use, planting trees to use for the good of others, not overusing resources, sharing resources more equally, not damaging environment, avoiding waste/pollution
Issues with fertility treatments
Expensive, no guarantees, uncomfortable side effects, could strain relationship, donors could strain bonding with children, should children know biological parents?? Surrogacy can cause problems if surrogate bonds with child
Types of fertility treatments
AIH(artificial insemination by husband) IVF(test tube baby) AID(artificial insemination by donor) Egg donor Embryo donor Surrogacy
Christians for fertility treatments
Allows couples to experience joy of children (God’s intention), God provided knowledge, “be fruitful and multiply” Golden Rule and “love thy neighbour”
Christians against fertility treatments
If not God’s will no one has the right, some involve masturbation - sin, some embryos destroyed - murder, donors seen as adultery, God has a plan, destroying embryos - sanctity of life
Muslims for fertility treatments
Infertility seen as disease so okay to find cure, children bring couple closer together, children important family commitments, role of woman involves ability to have children
Why Muslims allow IVF
Egg and sperm from married couple, embryos destroyed before ensoulment, God gave us the knowledge, if doesn’t work Muslims believe it’s Allah’s wish
Issues with organ donation
When are you actually dead? Not enough donor organs. Family members could be pressurised into donating. Should we use organs from animals? Who should get the organ? Should a person be kept alive or allowed to die purely for organ donation?
The importance of organ donation
Otherwise organs would be wasted, gives an opportunity to help others after their death, golden rule, helps to save lives, most organs come from donors who have died so no longer need them
Christians for transplant surgery
Body not needed in heaven, loving and charitable act - teaching of Jesus, way of people showing gratitude to God for gift of life, some feel positive action
Christians against transplant surgery
Against sanctity of life because we can’t play God, interferes with God’s plan, wrong to replace part of God’s creation, if damage was due to own actions e.g. Through alcohol shouldn’t be allowed, resurrection
Muslims against transplant surgery
Qur’an teaches body should be buried soon after death not interfered with, resurrection, against sanctity of life - only God can give/take life
Muslims for transplant surgery
Save life of others - Allah would wish, live donations e.g. Kidney don’t affect resurrection, many allow living donor transplants to close relatives
