Bioethics (5 And 10 Markers)

Question 1

Explain why IVF is controversial for Christians (5)

Answer 1

Any 3 from

• donor sperm/egg is mechanical adultery
• IVF allows experimentation on spare embryos - immoral
• spare embryos disposed after 14 days - murder
• interfering with God’s plan
• allows homosexual people to have children - cavemen see this as problematic
• low success rate and high price is exploitative

Question 2

Describe how IVF can help a couple have children (5)

Answer 2

• egg and sperm form embryo in Petri dish, implanted in womb
• if the quantity or quality of sperm is poor or if the woman can’t produce eggs, donors can be used
• homosexual couples can have children by donor and/or surrogate

Question 3

Do you agree that surrogacy is an act of Christian love? (10)

Answer 3

Any 6 from

Yes:

• carrying child is a sacrifice done without the thought of reward
• not all surrogacy is for money - can be a family member
• you put someone’s needs above your own - the surrogate can become attached to the child but gives it up as a sacrifice

No:

• goes against church and bible teaching (can link to IVF)
• adultery
• purely for money

Etc.

Question 4

Describe how HFEA set guidelines for bioethics. (5)

Answer 4

• regulates developments
• licences and monitors IVF clinics
• provide advice and info for patients, doctors and clinics without bias
• monitors legislation on reproductive tech and embryo research - e.g. 14 day rule

Question 5

“Developments in bioethics create more problems than they solve”. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and refer to Christian teaching. (10)

Answer 5

Any 6 from

Yes:

• spare embryos in IVF: destruction is murder - ‘thou shall not kill’
• anonymous donors of sperm/eggs is adultery
• legal difficulties when surrogate becomes attached to child
• IVF gives false hope and has a low success rate - expensive and unnecessary for NHS or couple
• adoption an option instead
• embryo research violates dignity of human life - ‘made in the image of God’ - Genesis

On the other hand:

• IVF helps couples bear children - fulfills a Christian marriage
• God commanded Adam and Eve to ‘be fruitful and multiply’
• embryo research and experimentation helps us understand diseases and how to cure them
• surrogacy can be an option to have genetically related offspring as well

Question 6

Should IVF be freely available to everyone? (5)

Answer 6

Any 3 from

No

• health service under strain, other procedures should be prioritised
• people seeking IVF treatment should pay for it
• shouldn’t be allowed for single people, sex offenders, women post child bearing age etc.

Yes

• IVF can be seen as essential for mental health
• its unfair to deny people who can’t afford the treatment
• it is discriminatory to only allow the treatment for certain people

Question 7

Give reasons for objection against Fertility Treatment (5)

Answer 7

Any 3 from:

• 3 parent IVF
• Spare embryos (14 days)
• experimentation
• Designer babies
• Profitable surrogacy
• exploitation of infertile couples monetarily