Section 2 - Environmental and Medical Issues Flashcards
What is global warming?
The increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere
What is the greenhouse effect?
The burning of fossil fuels which produces CO2 and forms a barrier in the atmosphere. Sun can get in but not out
What is natural climate change?
That the Earth’s climate changes naturally
What natural sources are said to produce large amounts of CO2?
Volcanic emissions, animals, bacteria, ocean and decaying vegetation
How are alternative ways of producing electricity helping the Earth?
Ways such as solar power, wind power and hydroelectric power produce no CO2 emissions
How are car manufactures helping to solve global warming?
Using electric, bio-diesel and ethanol batteries –> Improves the efficiency of the cars -> producing less CO2
What methods produce the most and least amount of CO2?
Least = Train by far Most = Planes by far
What is a possible solution to acid rain?
Use less fossil fuels
What is a possible solution to human waste?
recycling, using incinerators to produce electricity, sewage to provide methane or fuel in power stations
What is a possible solution to eutrophication?
Improved sewage treatment, less use of phosphates in detergents and nitrates in fertilisers
What is a possible solution to radioactive pollution?
Reprocess as much nuclear waste as possible, geologically dispose of radioactive waste
Why is it important to try and find solutions to radioactive pollution and human waste?
As it is a hazard to humans
What are renewable resources?
Resources which can be used over and over.
What is a problem with renewable resources?
Much more expensive than burning fossil fuels
What are non-renewable resources?
Resources which disappear once used
What is a possible solution to non-renewable resources and name an example
Renewable resources e.g solar, wind, tidal, sea and hydroelectric power
How are car manufacturers trying to help the scarcity of natural resources?
Looking at water, sugar cane, electric and hydrogen batteries
How is scientists trying to help the scarcity of natural resources?
Using chemicals from plants rather than oil to produce things e.g plastics
How could you change your lifestyle to help the scarcity of natural resources?
eat organic foods, wear cotton/wool clothes and ride bikes/walk
What is conservation?
Protecting and preserving the natural resources and the environment
What is creation?
The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been created
What is the environment?
The surroundings which plants and animals live and which they depend on to live
What is stewardship?
Looking after something so it can be passed on to the next generation
What did the Old Testament teach about the environment and what humans should do to protect it?
- Humans have a responsibility to treat animals humanely
- Treat the land kindly -> Not growing crops ever 50th year
What does the parable of the talents and minas teach?
Humans should pass on more to the next generation than they have been given
Why do many Christians believe it is important to follow stewardship?
- Jesus taught it
- Will be part of judgement on how they have fulfilled their duty on earth
How do beliefs about stewardship make Christians act in terms of helping the environment?
Reduce pollution, preserve resources for the next generation
How do beliefs about stewardship make Christians act in terms of helping less fortunate people?
Try and improve quality of life for people who live in LEDCs without causing more pollution
Why do Christians feel they have a duty to act as stewards?
- Will be judged by god -> Try and share and support eco-groups. Way of living which God wants
Why do Hindus have respect for animal life?
- Vishnu, Krishna were other animals in avatars
- Many Hindus believe they’ve been reincarnated
- Ahimsa -> Causes many veggies
Why do Hindus have respect for nature?
- Third ashrama -> forest dweller -> Hindus can contact god here
- Krishna spent a lot of his life in a forest
How do beliefs about stewardship make Hindus act in terms of helping the environment?
Try to reduce pollution and preserve resources
How do beliefs about stewardship make Hindus act in terms of the avatars?
Many Hindus believe that stewardship means being a vegetarian and protecting the animals
How do beliefs about stewardship make Hindus act in terms of helping less fortunate people?
Try and improve quality of life for people who live in LEDCs without causing more pollution
Why do Hindus feel they have a duty to act as stewards?
- Have belief and respect for life and nature -> have duty to try and share and support eco-groups
Why is there conflict between Hindus on issues on the environment?
Some Hindus believe humans come first and support industrial progress. Some do not
What is Artificial insemination?
Injecting seamen into the uterus by artificial means
What is an embryo?
A fertilised egg in the first 8 weeks after contraception
What is infertility?
Not being able to have children
What is In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)?
The method of fertilising an egg in a test tube
What is surrogacy?
- An arrangement where a woman bears a child on behalf of another woman
- Where an egg is donated and fertilised by IVF then implanted in the uterus
What is artificial insemination by husband (AIH)?
When a husbands sperm is inserted into his wife by artificial means
What is artificial insemination by donor (AID)?
When an anonymous man donates sperm which is inserted mechanically into the mother
What is an egg donation?
When an egg is donated, fertilised by IVF and placed into the womb
What is an embryo donation?
When both egg and sperm are donated, fertilised by IVF and placed in the womb
Why is infertility treatment important in terms of the UK?
12.5% of couples have fertility problems
Why is infertility treatment for males important?
1.5 million males have fertility problems
Why is infertility treatment important for humans?
- Part of human nature to have children
- Future of human race
- Psychological problems can be caused
What is the catholic view on infertility treatment?
Do not allow it
Why do Catholic’s not allow IVF?
- IVF -> Catholic’s believe this is similar to abortion
Why do Catholic’s not allow artificial insemination or surrogacy?
Involve masturbation of the male -> sin
Why do some Christians allow IVF and AIH?
- Provides joy for the couple
- Discarded embryos can be justified by the doctrine of double effect
- Baby will be biological offspring
What do all Christians encourage childless couples to do?
Adopt
Do most Hindus accept IVF, AIH and AID?
Yes
What is the core reason for Hindus accepting IVF, AIH and AID?
Part of fulfilling the householder ashrama
What is a reason for Hindus accepting IVF, AIH and AID in terms of the Laws of Manu?
- LoM encourage couples to adopt from a relative
What is the core reason for Hindus accepting IVF, AIH and AID in terms of the discarded embryos?
- The discarded embryos aren’t foetuses -> no soul has been formed -> Not taking a life
- Intention was to produce life
Why don’t some Hindus accept IVF, AIH and AID?
- Caste is passed down through parents
- IVF involves deliberate killing of some embryos -> like abortion
- See AID and egg donation as adultery
What is organ donation?
Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery
Why is transplant surgery important in terms of curing people?
- Effective and proven method of curing life threatening diseases and improving/saving lives
Why do most Christians support transplant surgery?
- Believe in immortality of the body -> Body isn’t needed in afterlife/resurrection
- Leaving organs is a loving thing to do
- Golden rule
Why do some Christians not believe in transplanting organs from dead people into living people?
- Acting as god
- Organs which are used by the living aren’t vital -> Can still “love your neighbour”
Why do some Christians not allow any form of transplant surgery?
- Disregards sanicity of life and acting as god
- Raises problems such as heart transplants
- Raises moral and emotional problems
Why do most Hindus support transplant surgery?
- Believe body isn’t important ->reincarnated
- Soul is immortal -> Body doesn’t matter
- Donating organs gives good karma -> Increased chance in gaining moksha
Why do some Hindus not allow any form of transplant surgery
- Transplants break law of karma
- Believe in ahimsa. Victims body is subject to suffering
- Poor people could be tempted to sell organs
