Matters Of Life

Question 1

Define ‘Sanctity Of Life’

Answer 1

Christian and Muslim belief that all life is a sacred gift from God.

Question 2

Define ‘Quality Of Life’

Answer 2

A measure of fulfillment.

Question 3

Define ‘Conception’

Answer 3

The moment the sperm fertilised the egg.

Question 4

Define ‘Quickening’

Answer 4

First detectable movement of the foetus.

Question 5

Define ‘Ensoulment’

Answer 5

At some moment of a foetus’ life, it receives it’s soul.

Question 6

Define ‘Infertile’

Answer 6

Unable to have children.

Question 7

Define ‘Fertility Treatment’

Answer 7

Medical procedure to assist an infertile couple to have children.

Question 8

What does IVF stand for?

Answer 8

In Vitro Fertilisation.

Question 9

Define ‘IVF’

Answer 9

A scientific method of making a woman pregnant, which does not include sex. Conception occurs in a test tube.

Question 10

Define ‘Test Tube Baby’

Answer 10

Term used for baby created outside the woman’s body.

Question 11

Define ‘Artificial Insemination (AI)’

Answer 11

Sperm medically inserted into the vagina to assist pregnancy.

Question 12

What does AIH stand for?

Answer 12

Artificial Insemination Husband.

Question 13

What does AID stand for?

Answer 13

Artificial Insemination Donor.

Question 14

Define ‘Surrogacy’

Answer 14

A fertilised egg is implanted into another woman’s womb.

Question 15

Define ‘Transplant Surgery’

Answer 15

When someone else’s organs are put into a patient.

Question 16

Define ‘Blood Tranfusion’

Answer 16

When a patient is given extra blood as part of an operation.

Question 17

Define ‘Human Genetic Engineering’

Answer 17

The modification of gene make-up to change the features of a human.

Question 18

Define ‘Embryology’

Answer 18

The study of human embryos.

Question 19

Define ‘Embryo’

Answer 19

Fertilised egg at about 12-14 days when implanted into the wall of the womb.

Question 20

Define ‘Designer Baby’

Answer 20

Babies with gender and characteristics chosen by their parents.

Question 21

Define ‘Stem Cell’

Answer 21

A cell, most often taken from a 4-5 day old embryo, whose role in the body is yet to be determined.

Question 22

Define ‘Saviour Sibling’

Answer 22

A sibling, genetically compatible with a sick child and born to use stem cells to treat the sick child.

Question 23

Define ‘Cloning’

Answer 23

The scientific method where an exact replica of an animal or plant is produced. It has the exact same genetic make-up as the original.

Question 24

Explain Catholic views towards fertility treatments.

Answer 24

Catholics disagree with all forms of fertility treatments as they believe that it is up to God whether a couple should have a child or not.

Question 25

What did the Pope call AID?

Answer 25

Mechanical Adultery

Question 26

Explain Christian views towards fertility treatments.

Answer 26

Christians support IVF and AIH because they are still between a married, heterosexual couple. AID is not approved as the parents are not married.

Question 27

Explain Islamic views towards fertility treatments.

Answer 27

Muslims allow IVF and AIH for married couples, but don't allow AID as they see it as adultery.

Question 28

Explain Catholic views towards surrogacy.

Answer 28

They do not support surrogacy as they believe it is up to God whether a couple have a child or not.

Question 29

Explain Islamic views towards surrogacy.

Answer 29

Muslims forbid surrogacy as it involves pregnancy outside marriage. "None can be their mothers except those who gave them birth" - Qur'an

Question 30

Explain Joseph Fletcher's views towards surrogacy.

Answer 30

Fletcher believes it could be the most loving thing to do as it gives a child to loving parents.

Question 31

Explain Catholic views towards genetic engineering, embryology and cloning.

Answer 31

Catholics believe that experimenting on embryos is wrong as it undermines the sanctity of life.

Question 32

Explain Christian views towards genetic engineering, embryology and cloning.

Answer 32

Christians support research on embryos under 14 days old, as long as these embryos are not just created for research.

Question 33

Explain Muslim views towards genetic engineering, embryology and cloning.

Answer 33

Muslims believe that we should use the scientific knowledge given to us by Allah. However, embryos must not be created solely for research.

Question 34

Explain Christian views towards designer babies.

Answer 34

Christians believe it is wrong as it is against the sanctity of life and God's individual plan for us.

Question 35

Explain Muslim views towards designer babies.

Answer 35

Muslims believe it is wrong as Allah chooses our identity and we should not change the plans that He has made for us.

Question 36

Explain Muslim views towards blood transfusions.

Answer 36

Muslims only support blood transfusions if they are really necessary.

Question 37

Explain Christian views towards blood transfusions.

Answer 37

Christians support blood transfusions as they believe it is following the teaching of "love thy neighbour"

Question 38

Explain Jehovah's Witnesses views towards blood transfusions.

Answer 38

Jehovah's witnesses are against blood transfusions as the believe that blood is sacred to God. They believe that blood has only one use, the atonement of sins. When a Christian abstains from blood, they are in effect expressing faith that only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can truly redeem their life.

Question 39

Explain Muslim views towards organ transplants.

Answer 39

Muslims agree to organ transplants, as long as the organs are human.

Question 40

Explain Christian views towards organ transplants.

Answer 40

Christians support organ transplants, Pope John Paul II said a transplant is an "act of charity"