Religion and medical issues

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Religion and Medical Issues - coursework

Ai) Describe the treatments available to help infertile couples to have children

Today, there are many infertile couples all over the world. There are 6 main treatments to help infertile couples. The first treatment is In-Vitro fertilisation (IVF). IVF is when the egg is taken from a test tube and fertilised in a test tube and put back into the womb. The second available treatment is Artificial Insemination by donor (AID). This is when an unknown man’s sperm is put into the woman’s womb. Thirdly, Artificial Insemination by husband is when the husband’s sperm is put into the wife’s womb by medical means. The next treatment is Egg Donation. This is when the husband’s sperm is mixed with an egg that has been donated and are fertilised in a test tube by IVF and put into the wife’s womb. Also, there is a similar treatment. It is when both egg and sperm are from unknown people and are fertilised by IVF and put into the wife’s womb, which is called Embryo Donation. Finally, the last treatment is surrogacy, which is when, egg or sperm by the wife or husband is fertilised by IVF and placed in another woman’s womb. At birth, the baby is handed to the husband and wife immediately.

All of these treatments cost a lot of money.

Aii) Explain Christian attitudes to these treatments and one other religion

Only some Christians have a problem with couples that are having treatments because they are infertile. Different groups of Christians have different opinions about the treatments.

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All of these treatments cost a lot of money.

Aii) Explain Christian attitudes to these treatments and one other religion

Only some Christians have a problem with couples that are having treatments because they are infertile. Different groups of Christians have different opinions about the treatments.

Some Christian’s views of fertile treatments are that God has given everyone a talent and knowledge to help people who are infertile. They think that they should use their talents that God has given to them. Secondly, Christians accept AIH and IVF because the egg and sperm are still from the wife and husband. Christians, who support the treatments for infertile couples, believe this because in the New Testament in the book of Genesis they refer to the blind man getting treatment from Jesus and was able to see.

Whereas Roman Catholics think doctors should not help infertile couples because God has created humans in a certain way and doctors should not alter this. Also, Roman Catholics don’t agree with the treatments because the fertilisation doesn’t involve the sex act which God intended.

Similar to Christianity, Judaism has different views on treatments available to infertile couples.

The treatments that Judaism does accept are IVF and AIH and egg donation as long as it is from a Jewish person. This is accepted because God intends humans to use the benefit of technology as long as it’s within the mitzvot. Secondly, rabbis are very supportive to infertile couples and in Judaism are important to have children.

On the other hand, the other treatments is not accepted, AID, Surrogacy, and Embryo Donation. These treatments are not accepted because AID and Embryo Donation is a form of adultery because it’s not the husband’s sperm. Surrogacy is not accepted because whoever gives birth is the baby’s mother.

Aiii) Explain why religious people have problems with transplant surgery

The first problem that religious people have with transplant surgery is that organs cannot be paid for because it’s exploiting the poor, which is banned in the bible. Also, Christians believe taking organs from dead people is taking advantage of God’s authority. Christians also don’t like putting doctors in a difficult position and they don’t want the doctor to play God and commit a great sin. Muslims also believe most of the Christianity views against transplant surgery and also the Shari’ah teaches nothing should be removed from dead people. Islam believes that only God has the right to take and give life, from the teachings of the Qur’an.

B) “Only God has the right to interfere with our genes” Do you agree?

I do not agree with the statement, “Only God has the right to interfere with our genes”. I believe scientists should interfere with genes to cure diseases which people are suffering from. I believe it’s important for the development of curing diseases. But, changing genes should not be changed just to make people look better before the child is born.

Some Christians would disagree with my opinion that that genetic engineering should be used because some Christians because scientists are trying to make the world perfect ad heaven should only be perfect. Some Muslims also disagree with me because embryos involve abortion. Some Muslims and Christians believe scientists are playing God which is one of the biggest sins in Islam and Christianity.