Matters Of Life

Question 1

What are the Hindu views on the sanctity of life

Answer 1

1) we are all part of Brahman
2) everything has an atman a non physical would which seeks return to Brahman
3) the law of ahimsa: preserves the sanctity of life
4) we all have a sacred dharma which leads you get to moksha

Question 2

What are the Christian views on the sanctity of life

Answer 2

1) gen 1:26 we are made in the image of God
2) exodus 20:13 human life must be protected
3) mark 12:31 all humans are similarly special in their uniqueness and sanctity. Therefore should be respected and treated the same
4) 1 conrinthians 3:16 we are a living temple of God more than a reflection of divinity
5) psalms 139:13 we are known to God even before we are born. Therefore all life has a purpose. Should not take for granted. God is the only one with the power to give and take away life

Question 3

Non religious view on the sanctity of life

Answer 3

1) all life is unique as our DNA is individual to ua
2) we all have a unique potential for human achievement
3) we are the only intelligent life on this planet possibly universe as a result of evolution
4) no individual life will repeat itself

Question 4

Definition of adoption

Answer 4

To take on the legal responsibilities of as a parent of a child that is not ones biological daughter. A family member can adopt you

Question 5

Definition of surrogacy

Answer 5

When a women agrees to give birth to child resulting from artificial insemination it the implantation of a zygote and does not have parental rights

Question 6

Definition of AIH

Answer 6

Artificial insemination by husband. This is IVF using the husbands sperm

Question 7

definition of AID

Answer 7

Artificial insemination by donor. This is IVF using sorry from someone unknown. However there are now laws around this is so the donor cannot be anonymous

Question 8

Definition of IVF

Answer 8

In vitro fertilisation. When an egg from a women is joined with a sperm from a man in a test tube to form a zygote. This is then placed inside the women’s womb

Question 9

Definition for fostering

Answer 9

Providing parental care and nurture to children unrelated through legal or blood ties

Question 10

Definition of sperm/egg donation

Answer 10

The provision of a sex cell for the purpose of fertilising or being fertilised

Question 11

Definition of blood transfusion

Answer 11

An injection of a volume of blood previously taken from a healthy patient to another

Question 12

What are uses of blood transfusions

Answer 12

Replace blood lost through an accident
Cancers patients affected by blood related illnesses. They need constant transfusions
Anaemia:low level of red blood cells require blood transfusions

Question 13

What is blood doping

Answer 13

Injecting yourself with blood containing more red blood cells leading to a larger supply of oxygen. Making it better for sportsman

Question 14

Why do Jehovah’s witnesses disagree with blood transfusions

Answer 14

1) Genesis 9:3-4 “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” this suggests your souls is in your blood and blood is life force bherefore your injections someone else’s would into you

Question 15

What are the Buddhist views on maintaining life

Answer 15

1) in many lifetimes the Buddha gave up his own life to save others for example lying down for lionesses to feed upon him
2) the bodhisattva vow - to help all who need help
3) cherish in your hearts boundless goodwill to all beings

Question 16

Christian attitudes to mainlining life

Answer 16

All life is sacred and should be respected because it is God given
Jesus helped others therefor blood transfusions would be ok as they are are an act of agape (unconditional love)

Question 17

Hindu attitudes on maintaining life

Answer 17

Hinduism has stories where human body parts are used to help others
All things including humans are expressions of Brahman
Daya (compassion) and Dana (charity) must be practised by Hindus
Blood transfusions and organ donations is an act of kidneys that fits well with their duties to attain moksha

Question 18

Definition of cloning

Answer 18

Describes a process that can be used to produce genetically identical copies of a biological entity

Question 19

What are the two types of cloning

Answer 19

Reproductive and therapeutic

Question 20

What is reproductive cloning

Answer 20

Cloning people or animals

Question 21

What is the law of therapeutic cloning

Answer 21

The embryo must be destroyed after 14 days from conceptions

Question 22

What are the advantages of cloning

Answer 22

1) can enable researchers better technology in agriculture
2) genetically modified sheep can produce milk that has a protein with a clotting factor which will help people who have blood clotting problems
3) test new drugs
4) FDA have said cloned milk and meat are just as good as regular animals

Question 23

Disadvantages of cloning

Answer 23

Inefficient as they can’t develop into healthy individuals
It is v time consuming and expensive
Adverse health effect, variations of defects in major organs eg heart
Shorter life span

Question 24

Religious views on cloning as a whole

Answer 24

Christianity opposed in cloning as life begins at conception and you are essentially creating life to be destroyed : exodus 20:13 tho shall not murder. We have no right to play God as he is the only creator

Buddhists believe in the natural order of the world so against it. However believe in right intention. So if it is to save lives could be okay

Hinduism is full of tales about cloning. If it is for helping others. Eg if it was is used for medical purposes then it is allowed

Question 25

Definition of human experimentation

Answer 25

When a human being is used as a guinea of for furthering medical knowledge. Eg about cures

Question 26

What’s the law on human experimentation

Answer 26

Declaration of Helsinki in 1964: human experimentation is legal but has to be revised by another body and there must be consent

Question 27

Advantages of human experimentation

Answer 27

Further knowledge of disease and illness
Essential for drug development
You can save millions of life lowering death rates

Question 28

Disadvantages/moral issues with human experimentation

Answer 28

There’s a risk that people are doing it for money
It dehumanises as it treats you as an instrument
Commodity: as soon as we can sell humans then it can lead to crime and misuse

Question 29

Overall views on human experimentation

Answer 29

Buddhism: goes against 1st precept to not harm any other being
Christianity: gen 1:26 created in gods image, life is precious should not be harmed
Hinduism: everyone has an atman so by experimenting we are harming the souls
Utilitarian: potentially benefits the greatest number of people for the greater good. The aim is to help

Question 30

Definition of stem cell research

Answer 30

stem cells are taken between 1-4 days after fertilisation. They can form into an organ/cells/tissue

Question 31

What are the uses of stem cells

Answer 31

Scientists have recently discovered. They can use this to form embryonic cells. It could possibly lead to the curing of diseases such as Parkinson’s and cancer

Question 32

What are admix embryos

Answer 32

Part animal part human embryos

Question 33

What are the KEY Christian teachings relating to matters of life

Answer 33

1) agape (unconditional love from God to us)
2) due to imago dei (gen 1:26) we have this duty of love everybody in the same way
3) human life must be protected (exodus 20:13)
4) Matthew 7:12 the golden rule: do to other what you want done for you
5) psalms 139:13-16 God has a plan we have a purpose

Question 34

What are the KEY Hindu teachings relating to the matters of life

Answer 34

1) Brahman - all life is part of Brahman and Brahman is affected by our actions
2) karma - or actions have consequences for or journey through the cycle of samsara
3) dharma (our duty)
4) ahimsa (non violence)

Question 35

What are the KEY Buddhist teachings relating to the matters of life

Answer 35

1) right intention - the morality of an action is in its intention
2) compassion - achieve enlightenment thought service to others
3) respect for all living beings. As everything is interdependent (anicca)

Question 36

Buddhist view on the sanctity of life

Answer 36

1) Human life is a rare privilege with special responsibilities
2) everyone has a mission, the universe does nothing without purpose. The fact we exist means we have a purpose
3) human life is unique
4) human dignity it rooted at the idea we are able to choose the path of self perfection