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Religion: Environmental and Medical Issues Global Warming Global Warming – The increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect). Earth is warmer now than 1000 years ago. 3 warmest years on record have happened since 1998. Polar ice caps might melt and there will be an increase in water levels, rain and flooding. Causes of Global Warming 1. The Greenhouse Effect The burning of fossil fuels (gas, coal and oil) produces carbon dioxide. This produces a barrier in the atmosphere like the glass in a greenhouse. The heat from the sun can get through, but can’t get back out. Many scientists believe that this is causing the Earth to warm up. This is often called ‘global warming’. Causes of Global Warming 2. Natural Climate Change Some say our climate has always been changing. Over the last 10,000 years the warmest periods happened long before humans were producing large amounts of CO2. These scientists claim that nature produces more CO2 from volcanic eruptions, animals, bacteria and the ocean than humans are ever likely to. Causes of Global Warming 3. Solar Activity Changes to Earth’s temperature might be due to the amount of radiation coming from the sun. Clouds usually block lots of the sun’s rays but when solar activity is high, solar winds cause fewer clouds to form. Carbon emissions were high during WW2 but temperatures dropped after it, so global warming does not seem to be linked to carbon levels. Possible Solutions Through the Kyoto Protocol of 2005, 55 countries (not USA, India or China) pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5% every year. A number of measures were introduced. 1) Electricity now made using wind, sea and solar power instead of burning fossil fuels. By 2050 no UK power stations will be producing carbon emissions. Possible Solutions 2) Cars now being made to run on ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogen instead of petrol (which gives off carbon). Biodiesel is made from crops that could be used as food. It might lead to world starvation. 3) Increased use in public transport could greatly reduce carbon emissions when compared to cars only carrying one person. Trains have the least emissions and planes the highest Possible Solutions • Most cars are now made of up to 75% recycled material. Better efficiency means it would take 50 small cars built in 2007 to produce the same pollution as 1 small car in 1977. • Scientists are working on using chemicals from plants rather than oil to produce things such as plastics. The Threat of Pollution 1. Acid Rain The burning of fossil fuels releases sulphuric and nitric acid which goes into the atmosphere and changes the rain water in clouds making it acidic. It can burn things when it comes to Earth. Buildings and forests are being destroyed by acid rain. The Threat of Pollution 2. Human Waste Refuse, rubbish and sewage is a major threat to the future of the planet. Europe produces 2.5 billion tons of solid waste per year and New York throws out 26,000 tons per day. Litter has helped increase the rat population of the UK to 70 million! These bring diseases such as Weil’s disease. It is estimated a fire breaks out every 12 minutes because of litter. The Threat of Pollution 3. Eutrophication An excess of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates in rivers leads to a lack of oxygen and an increase in aquatic plants, which is causing fish to die and poisons to enter water supplies. This is caused by fertilisers being washed into streams, sewage pollution, and the lack of trees to soak up the nitrogen. This could lead to major health problems for humans such as septicaemia. The Threat of Pollution 4. Radioactive Pollution Nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide, but do produce nuclear waste which takes thousands of years to be safe. Waste is buried without knowing if the storage boxes will be able to contain it safely for this length of time. When living things come into contact with radiation, they can be killed, get cancer or have seriously ill offspring. Possible Solutions 1. Acid Rain Closely connected with the solution to the Greenhouse effect. If we stop using fossil fuels Then acid rain will not be produced. Electricity Needs to be made using alternative methods. Possible Solutions 2. Human Waste Use a combination of recycling, incinerators to produce electricity, and methane from sewage as a fuel for power stations. However, reusing glass bottles uses more energy due to sterilisation and incinerating things is a source of greenhouse gases. People need to stop dropping litter!!!! You can get a fine for dropping it. Councils have to clean up areas if people make complaints. So complain!!! Possible Solutions 3. Eutrophication Already being cut down by improved sewage treatment and less use of phosphates as detergents (for cleaning). An increase in organisc farming is increasing the amount of nitrates in streams due to the amount of manure being used in fields. Possible Solutions 4. Radioactive Pollution Some nuclear waste can be reprocessed. This means that 97% of the waste can be reused. But the other 3% has to be stored. The safest method for this is burying it deep underground so that the radiation can not escape and harm people. Natural Resources Natural Resources: ‘Naturally occurring resources such as oil, fertile land and solar light which can be used by humans.’ Natural Resources consist of anything that occurs naturally that can be changed by humans to help them. Natural Resources Natural resources can be divided into two main types: Renewable Resources: Resources that can be used again because they renew themselves naturally. Renewable resources usually produce little or no pollution. E.g. wind, solar, water. Using this causes no problems but using them to produce electricity is often more expensive. Natural Resources Natural resources can be divided into two main types: Non-Renewable Resources: Resources that can only be used once. Non-Renewable resources disappear once they are used and often cause pollution. Oil going will cause lots of problems. It is used to make diesel and petrol; all plastics and road surfaces. Natural Resources – Possible Solutions Electricity can be made without using non-renewable resources e.g. wind, water and solar. Car makers are looking at water, sugar cane and electric batteries as ways to power cars. Recycling will extend the life span of many finite resources e.g. cars are 75% recycled materials. Some people have alternative lifestyles e.g. only use natural products, eat organic food and ride bikes instead of owning a car. Christian teachings on Stewardship Creation: ‘The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been created.’ Environment: ‘The surroundings on which plants and animals live and on which they depend to continue living.’ Christian teachings on Stewardship Stewardship: ‘Looking after something on behalf of another so that it can be passed back or on to the next generation of stewards.’ Conservation: ‘Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment.’ Creation and the Environment Christians believe God gave humans stewardship of the earth. Humans have control of the plants and animals, but they must be responsible. Christianity teaches that, because God made the Earth, the Earth belongs to God. Christian Teachings on Stewardship ‘God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every other living creature that moves on the ground.’ (Gen.1:28) “Men and women are to be stewards and creators, not exploiters, of its resources… Christians must support those working for conservation.” Methodist Statement Christian Teachings on Stewardship The Bible talks about Judgement Day when people will be judged for their beliefs and behaviour. Most Christians believe God will look to see if they have fulfilled their duty as stewards of God’s Earth. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught that Christians have responsibility to ensure the sharing of the Earth's resources. How stewardship beliefs affect Christian attitudes to the environment They believe they should leave the earth in a better way than they found it = reduce pollution and preserve resources. It means sharing the Earth’s resources fairly = will help to improve the standard of living for people in poorer countries without causing more pollution. How stewardship beliefs affect Christian attitudes to the environment By believing in Judgement Day Christians know God will look at ho they acted as stewards = will support work of groups who try to reduce pollution and conserve resources. They believe that it is only by being a good steward and conserving the environment and scarce resources that Christians become a good Christian. Stewardship of the Environment This factory refines coal from its mountain top open cast mine. Should a Christian fight for the closure of this factory? Stewardship includes a responsibility for humans too. Shutting down this factory could put 17,000 people out of work, affecting whole communities. This would not be a Christian solution. So what would? Islam and the Created Environment Islam teaches that the universe and everything in it was created by God perfectly suited to human life. The Qur’an states: ‘The sun and moon follow courses exactly computed…He has set up the balance in order that you may not break the balance.’ Surah 55:5-8 Islam and the Created Environment • On Judgement Day Allah will question them on how they have looked after earth. Those who misuse God’s gift will not get into heaven. • Life is a test and part of that is looking after the environment in the way of Islam. • God put balance in creation so humans must work to maintain it. Islam and the Created Environment The Qur’an states: ‘Behold thy Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a viceregent on earth.’ And he taught Adam the nature of all things.’’ Surah 2:30 Islam teaches that God created Adam as his ‘Khalifah‘ (vice-regent; someone who looks after things on your behalf) or steward of creation. How Islamic teachings about stewardship affect attitudes to the environment As God’s Khalifah Muslims should try to reduce pollution and preserve resources by following the Shariah law. The Ummah (community of Muslims) makes them believe that as stewards they should share the earth’s resources fairly. Should try to raise the standard of living in poorer countries without causing more pollution. How Islamic teachings about stewardship affect attitudes to the environment As they believe they will be Judged by God on their behaviour as Khalifahs Muslims feel they have a duty to support the work of groups who preserve resources and reduce pollution. Creation has unity and balance, so Muslims have a duty to preserve the environment. However Muslims have to think about humans regarding any environmental changes that they make (like Christians). Nature and Importance of Infertility Treatments Artificial Insemination Injecting semen into the uterus by artificial means. Embryo A fertilised egg in the first 8 weeks after conception. Infertility Not being able to have children In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) method of fertilising a human egg in a test tube. Surrogacy An arrangement whereby a woman bears a child on behalf of another woman or where an egg is donated and fertilised by the husband through IVF and then implanted into the wife’s uterus. Main treatments for infertility IVF – woman’s egg is fertilised outside of her womb with either her husband’s or a donor’s sperm. AI by husband (AIH) – Husbands sperm mechanically inserted into wife. AI by donor (AID) – Anonymous sperm mechanically inserted into the mother. Egg donation – another woman’s egg is fertilised by IVF using husband’s sperm, then placed in wife’s womb. Main treatments for infertility Embryo donation – both egg and sperm come from donors. Fertilised via IVF and mechanically inserted into the wife’s womb. Surrogacy – fertilised egg and sperm (via IVF) of husband and wife placed in another woman’s womb OR husband’s sperm used to artificially inseminate another woman. Issues around Fertility Treatments Some not sure if these treatments are morally right. All children from donated sperm allowed to know who their genetic parents are when they turn 18. (since 2005) c.50,000 children born from donations but under 10% told they have other genetic parents. Only those children born after 1st April 2005 have the right to know about their genetic origins. Why infertility treatments are important Infertility is on the rise in the West. About 12.5% of UK couples have fertility problems. Male infertility is major problem. 1.5 million UK males have fertility problems. 2007 = 12% of all births in the UK were the result of fertility treatments. Psychological problems can be caused by infertility as it is human nature to want to have children. Infertility treatments now so effective that some mental illnesses can be prevented by their use. Christian attitudes to infertility treatments There are 2 main Christian views. Catholics God gives children and he decides who has them. Only allow methods that do not threaten the sacredness of life and in which sex acts are natural. All fertility treatments that se medical technology are banned. Catholics believe this because… IVF fertilises a number eggs, some of which are thrown away. Catholics view this act as no different from an abortion. AI and surrogacy involve masturbation by the male, which is a sin for Catholics. Embryo technology means the egg is fertilised outside a normal sex act. For Catholics God intended procreation to be part of the sex act. Christian attitudes to infertility treatments There are 2 main Christian views. Other Christians They allow IVF and AIH. Concerned by other forms of embryo technology, but not banned them. These methods cause problems for the child as to who they are and who their parents are. All Christians would encourage childless couples to adopt. Other Christians believe this because… Its good to use technology to provide couples with the joy of children. This is one of the purposes of Christian marriage. Egg and sperm are from the husband and wife so the offspring will be theirs. Discarded embryos not seen as foetuses. Aim is to give children to a childless couple not to kill embryos. Islam and infertility treatments Most Muslims accept IVF and AIH because… They are simply using medicine to bring about life, which all Muslims are expected to have. Egg and sperm are from the husband and wife so the offspring will be theirs. Discarded embryos not seen as foetuses. Aim is to give children to a childless couple not to kill embryos. Islam and infertility treatments However, Muslim lawyers have banned other types of treatment because… They deny a child’s right to know its natural parents, which is essential in Islam. Any form of egg or sperm donation is seen as adultery. Egg and sperm donation is similar to adoption, which is banned in Islam. Nature and importance of transplant surgery Transplant surgery (TS) is taking organs from one person and using them to replace a diseased or malfunctioning organ in someone else. Organ donation – giving organs to be used in transplant surgery Lots of organs can be used but they have to be compatible. Drugs are used to stop the organ being rejected. TS is effective and gives hope to people who may not previously have had any. There are 2 types of TS… 1. Using organs from a dead person. 2. Using organs from a living person that they can live without e.g. bone marrow, a kidney. Transplants are regulated in the UK to stop commercial organ dealings (for money) so people can not sell their organs. Why has the UK done this? Family give permission for organs to be used in TS or people have a donor card. Instead of opting ‘in’ the government wants people to opt ‘out’. This could double the number of organs available for operations. Is this right? Why transplant surgery is important Effective and proven way of curing life threatening diseases e.g. heart disease. Improves people’s lives e.g. corneas can help a blind person see. 7000 people needed TS in 2007 but only 3000 operations happened. Could save 4000 extra lives a year. Gives people a chance to help others after they have died. People needed TS goes up by 8% every year. Transplants are an important part of health provision. Different Christian attitudes to TS Most agree with TS but are against rich people paying for organs from poor people. They believe this because… They believe that the soul lives on and the body is not needed when we die. Organs can be used to help the living. Jesus said ‘love thy neighbour’. Leaving your organs to help others is fulfilling this. Different Christian attitudes to TS Jesus said treat others as you want to be treated. Most Christians would want a transplant if they needed it. Rich buying organs from the poor is exploitation and the Bible is full of statements saying that this should not happen. Different Christian attitudes to TS Some oppose TS using organs from dead people but accept donated ones from the living because… some believe the heart is an intrinsic part of the person who was created by God. moving organs from the dead to the living is playing God, which is not allowed in Christianity. Different Christian attitudes to TS organs that can be used from the living are not vital and so can be used to follow Jesus’ teaching of ‘love thy neighbour’. can’t pay for organs as this would lead to exploiting the poor which is condemned in the Bible. Different Christian attitudes to TS Some Christians do not agree with TS at all and will not carry a donor card because… they believe transplants go against the sanctity of life. Will surgeons try to save a potential donor? believe transplanting organs is ‘playing God’ which is not allowed. Different Christian attitudes to TS Some Christians do not agree with TS at all and will not carry a donor card because… it raises the problem of when someone is dead e.g. heart transplants require the heart to be removed before it has stopped beating. diverts resources from prevention or less expensive cures which could improve the lives of far more people than a single transplant. Islam and Transplant Surgery Most Muslims are against TS and will not carry a donor card because… Shariah law states that nothing should be removed from the body after death. Muslims follow this. Moving organs from one body to another is acting like God (shirk) which is the greatest sin of Islam. they believe in the sanctity of life. So only God has the right to give and take life. they believe they will be resurrected on the Last Day and will need all their organs. Islam and Transplant Surgery Some allow TS using organs from living donors because… some Muslim lawyers have said that it is allowed. the Muslim Law Council of the UK (1995) said Muslims could carry donor cards and have transplants. Islam aims to do good and so if a dying relative needs a transplant then it is allowed. This is the same as a Muslim being allowed to eat pork if they would otherwise starve to death.