Religion: Environmental And Medical Issues Homework Booklet

1. Religion: Environmental And Medical Issues Homework Booklet

2. Homework 1 TASK 1 of 2: :Learn the key vocabulary below for a test next lesson.

3. The scarcity of natural resources • Natural resources are naturally occurring materials, such as oil and fertile land, which can be used by humans. • These can be divided into 2 types: • Renewable resources These are resources that humans can use over and over again because they renew themselves. Examples of renewable resources are: wind power, solar power, water power, oil seed rape , sugar cane and soft woods such as pine. Use of these causes no problems, but they are often more expensive. • Finite or non-renewable resources These are resources that disappear once they are used. Examples are: oil, coal, gas, iron, uranium, tin and hard woods such as oak. Use of these causes major problems because as the resource is used it becomes scarcer and so can be used less. • The most obvious problem is oil. A lack of oil would not only affect cars , but things like plastics, road surfaces, candles, polishes etc as well. Similarly, all metals used in everyday items like cars, railway tracks, pans and kitchen appliances come from finite ores such as iron, aluminium and tin. • Many scientists feel that unless we stop using these resources as much as we do, they will soon run out. This would mean no cars, televisions, ipods etc. The problem of resources could have consequences as severe as those caused by global warming and pollution.

4. Possible Solutions New ways of making electricity e.g. wind/water/solar power New ways of powering cars e.g. water, sugar cane, electric batteries Chemicals from plants Recycling Alternative lifestyle only using natural products e.g. clothes made from cotton/wool, eating organic food and riding a bike not a car

5. Detach the extra sheet from the back of your booklet and cut out the pictures. Stick them into the table below according to whether they are renewable or non-renewable sources of energy.

6. Task 2 of 2: • Either: • Write a story set in a future world where natural resources have run out, showing what life is like and how people are trying to cope (i.e. possible solutions) • Or: • 2) Write a poem about the scarcity of natural resources, how this poses a threat to the planet and possible solutions • Or: • 3) Answer the exam questions below • What is global warming (2 marks) • Do you think we should be worried about natural resources? Give two reasons for your point of view (4 marks) • Explain why Christians have a duty to care for the environment (8 marks) • ‘The environment is the government’s responsibility not religion’s’ • Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion (3 marks) • Give reasons why some people may disagree with you (3 marks) • In your answer you must refer to at least one religion other than Christianity.

7. Homework 2: Infertility treatments The main treatments for infertility are: IVF, AIH (artificial insemination by husband), AID (artificial insemination by donor), Egg donation (when an egg is donated by another woman, fertilised by IVF with sperm from the husband and then placed in the wife’s womb), Embryo donation (when both egg and sperm come from donors, are fertilised by IVF and inserted into the wife’s womb), Surrogacy. All medical treatments are authorised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), though there have been many arguments about the morality of these treatments. Since 01/04/05 children born from donated eggs, sperm or embryos have the right to discover their genetic parents when they turn 18. It is estimated that about 50,000 children have been born from donations, but only about 10% of them have been told that they have other genetic parents. Only children born after 01/04/05 have the right to know their genetic origins. Infertility has become more of a problem in recent years In 2007, 12% of all births in the UK were as a result of fertility treatments, showing how important this is to large numbers of couples Why infertility treatments are important Psychological problems are caused if couple s are desperate for children and can’t have them. Mental illness can be prevented by infertility treatments It’s human nature to want children – this is how the species survives. If treatments are available they must be important

8. Christianity and Infertility Treatments

9. Islam and Infertility Treatments • Most Muslims accept IVF and AIH when couples are having fertility problems because: • It is simply the use of medicine to bring about the family life that all Muslims are expected to have • The egg and sperm are from the husband and wife so the baby will be the biological offspring of its mother and father • The discarded embryos are not foetuses and their destruction can be justified because it’s not taking life and the intention is to produce children for childless couples not to kill embryos • However, Islamic lawyers have banned all other types of embryo technology 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 regarded as a form of adultery • Egg and sperm donation is very similar to adoption which is banned in Islam • Answer the exam questions below: • What is artificial insemination? (2 marks) • Do you think all couples should have a right to infertility treatments? Give two reasons for your point of view (4 marks) • Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers agree with some infertility treatments but not others (8 marks) • “All Christians should raise a family.” • Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion (3 marks) • Give reasons why some people may disagree with you (3 marks) • In your answer, you should refer to Christianity

10. Homework 3: end of unit test • What is stewardship? (2) • Do you think global warming is a big problem? Give two reasons for your view (4) • Explain why some Christians agree with many infertility treatment but other Christians are against all fertility treatments (8) • “All religious people should carry a donor card.” • Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion (3) • Give reasons why some people may disagree with you (3) • In your answer you should refer to refer to at least one religion.