Religion and medical ethics Flashcards
1
Q
What religions believe about life (2)
A
- All religions believe that all life is sacred – including embryos
- All religions believe that to save a life if we can is one of the most important commandments
2
Q
The benefits of medical research (2)
A
- Buddhism - the prohibition against harming or destroying others (ahimsa), and the pursuit of knowledge (prajña) and compassion (karua)
- God has given us power and intelligence to do the research so we should
3
Q
The problems associated with medical research (3)
A
- Religious believers (specifically Jews) believe that the idea that we can improve creation is blasphemy
- May involve researching embryos (which is, according to Catholics, a life)
- May debase the dignity of life
4
Q
Why religious people agree with human genetic engineering/embryo research (2)
A
- Most scientists insist that the aim of their work on human embryos is to find ways of curing human diseases caused by faulty genes and to be able to select healthy, disease-free embryos to implant in a potential mother’s womb.
- BUDDHISM – Buddhists believe that the intention behind a deed (Right Intention) is important i.e. if genetic engineering helps save or improve life, it is acceptable. However, some believe that the destruction of embryos goes against First Moral Precept (not to kill a living thing)
5
Q
Why religious people disagree with human genetic engineering/embryo research (3)
A
- They think that it is encouraging scientists to take on the role of God the creator
- Many religious people are concerned about what happens to the unused embryos. These by law must be destroyed no later than 14 days after conception. For those who believe that life begins at conception, it is a problem because it can be regarded as murder i.e. against their teachings
- Many Christians oppose genetic engineering because it takes or devalues life e.g. Roman Catholics argue on the grounds of ‘Sanctity of Life’ and that Scientists should not take the role of creator or experiment on and dispose of embryos (some would consider the commandment ‘you shall not murder’).
6
Q
Why religious people agree with stem cell therapies (1)
A
- All major Jewish denominations – including the Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist movements – support both embryonic and adult stem cell research as long as it is for medical or therapeutic purposes.
7
Q
Why religious people disagree with stem cell therapies (1)
A
- Catholics do not support stem cell therapies if the stem cells come from embryos. Otherwise they’re alright with it.
8
Q
Why Religious people agree with transplant surgery (3)
A
- “If anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Qur’an 5:32)
- Out of compassion, they would want to ‘help someone live after their death’ (by being a donor), helping someone else have a good quality of life.
- Many religious people agree with transplant surgery because they believe in the sanctity and value of life.
9
Q
Why Religious people disagree with transplant surgery
A
- Muslims and Jews are reluctant to be organ donors (so refuse to carry a donor card) because they do not want to be buried or cremated ‘incomplete’. Islam and Judaism forbid ‘desecrating or mutilating the body’. However, organ donation is permitted because it enables life to be saved.
10
Q
The problems associated with xenotransplantation (2)
A
- Animal rights groups don’t like the idea of harvesting animals for use on humans
- Some Jewish and Muslim groups disagree with the use of any parts of pigs being transplanted into humans
11
Q
Why religious people disagree with blood transfusions (1)
A
- Jehovah’s witnesses believe that blood represents life and so don’t have blood transfusions out of respect for the dignity of life
12
Q
Why religious people want to have children (2)
A
- To fulfil God’s instruction to ‘Go forth and multiply’ (Genesis)
- Many parents simply have the natural desire to have children
13
Q
Why people need to use fertility treatment (3)
A
- The man and the woman are unable to conceive
- Either the man or the woman may be infertile
- The man may have a low sperm count
14
Q
Why religious people agree with IVF (2)
A
- It allows couples to conceive
- It is compassionate
15
Q
Why religious people disagree with IVF (3)
A
- Many of the embryos that are created die
- It turns children into a commodity
- The sperm is obtained through masturbation
