Edexcel GCSE Religious StudiesEdexcel GCSE Religious StudiesUnit 8.2Unit 8.2

Religion, Environment Religion, Environment and Medical Issuesand Medical Issues

Key Words Key Words Global WarmingGlobal Warming: : The increase the temperature of the Earth’s The increase the temperature of the Earth’s

atmosphere.atmosphere. Natural Resources: Naturally occurring materials which can be utilised by Natural Resources: Naturally occurring materials which can be utilised by

humans.humans. Creation: The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been Creation: The act of creating the universe, or the universe which has been

created.created. Environment: The surroundings on which plants and animals live and on which Environment: The surroundings on which plants and animals live and on which

they depend to continue living.they depend to continue living. Stewardship: Looking after something on behalf of another so that it can be Stewardship: Looking after something on behalf of another so that it can be

passed back or on to the next generation of stewards.passed back or on to the next generation of stewards. Conservation: Protecting and preserving natural resources and the Conservation: Protecting and preserving natural resources and the

environment.environment. Artificial Insemination: Injecting semen into the uterus (womb) by artificial Artificial Insemination: Injecting semen into the uterus (womb) by artificial

methods.methods. Embryo: A fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception.Embryo: A fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception. Infertility: Not being able to have children.Infertility: Not being able to have children. In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF): The method of fertilising an egg in a test tube.In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF): The method of fertilising an egg in a test tube. Surrogacy: An arrangement where a woman bears a child for another woman.Surrogacy: An arrangement where a woman bears a child for another woman. Organ Donation: Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery.Organ Donation: Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery.

Twenty of last thirty years have Twenty of last thirty years have been recorded as the warmest been recorded as the warmest years since records began. And years since records began. And it looks like the Earth is it looks like the Earth is continuing to get warmer. continuing to get warmer.

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

The expected average temperature The expected average temperature rise of just 2rise of just 200c by 2050 will lead to an increased c by 2050 will lead to an increased rainfall of around 20% in Britain. In addition to this, rainfall of around 20% in Britain. In addition to this, sea levels will rise due to the polar ice caps sea levels will rise due to the polar ice caps melting. This could lead to coastal regions being melting. This could lead to coastal regions being lost, whilst Mediterranean countries such as Spain lost, whilst Mediterranean countries such as Spain could become deserts.could become deserts.

Possible Causes of Global WarmingPossible Causes of Global Warming1. The Greenhouse 1. The Greenhouse EffectEffect The burning of fossil fuels (gas, coal and oil) The burning of fossil fuels (gas, coal and oil)

produces carbon dioxide. This produces a barrier produces carbon dioxide. This produces a barrier in the atmosphere rather like the glass in a in the atmosphere rather like the glass in a greenhouse so that the heat from the sun can greenhouse so that the heat from the sun can get through, but cannot get back out again. get through, but cannot get back out again. Many scientists believe that this is causing the Many scientists believe that this is causing the Earth to warm up. This is often called ‘global Earth to warm up. This is often called ‘global warming’. warming’.

Possible Causes of Global WarmingPossible Causes of Global Warming2. Natural Climate 2. Natural Climate ChangeChangeSome scientists say the Some scientists say the climate change is simply part climate change is simply part of the natural cycle of the of the natural cycle of the planet. They say the hottest planet. They say the hottest periods over the past 10,000 periods over the past 10,000 years were before humans years were before humans started producing carbon started producing carbon emissions.emissions.

They say if global warming They say if global warming was due to human activity the was due to human activity the troposphere (the Earth’s troposphere (the Earth’s atmosphere 10-15km up) atmosphere 10-15km up) would be warming quicker would be warming quicker than ground level, and its not. than ground level, and its not.

They also state that nature They also state that nature naturally produces more C0naturally produces more C022 emissions than humans ever emissions than humans ever will.will.

3. Solar Activity3. Solar ActivitySome scientists claim that Some scientists claim that natural radiation from the sun natural radiation from the sun is the cause. They say solar is the cause. They say solar flares cause there to be less flares cause there to be less clouds and so more of the clouds and so more of the sun’s heat warms the Earth.sun’s heat warms the Earth.

They also doubt humans are They also doubt humans are the cause as temperatures the cause as temperatures dropped after WWII whilst dropped after WWII whilst carbon dioxide levels rose carbon dioxide levels rose rapidly.rapidly.

1. Acid Rain 1. Acid Rain

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil releases sulphuric and nitric acid. These oil releases sulphuric and nitric acid. These pollutants go into the atmosphere and changepollutants go into the atmosphere and changethe rain water in clouds making it so acidic the rain water in clouds making it so acidic that it can burn things when it comes to Earth. that it can burn things when it comes to Earth. Buildings and forests are being destroyed by acid Buildings and forests are being destroyed by acid rain produced by the UK burning fossil fuels.rain produced by the UK burning fossil fuels.

The Threat of PollutionThe Threat of Pollution

2. Radioactive Pollution2. Radioactive PollutionNuclear power stations do not produce carbon Nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide, but do produce nuclear waste which takes dioxide, but do produce nuclear waste which takes thousands of years to be safe. Waste is buried thousands of years to be safe. Waste is buried without knowing if the storage boxes will be able to without knowing if the storage boxes will be able to contain it safely for this length of time. When living contain it safely for this length of time. When living things come into contact with excess radiation, they things come into contact with excess radiation, they can be killed, get cancer or have seriously ill can be killed, get cancer or have seriously ill offspring.offspring.

The Threat of PollutionThe Threat of Pollution

3. Eutrophication 3. Eutrophication An excess of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates in An excess of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates in rivers is leading to a lack of oxygen and an increase rivers is leading to a lack of oxygen and an increase in aquatic plants, which is causing fish to die and in aquatic plants, which is causing fish to die and poisons to enter water supplies. This is caused by poisons to enter water supplies. This is caused by fertilisers being washed into streams, sewage fertilisers being washed into streams, sewage pollution, and the lack of trees to soak up the pollution, and the lack of trees to soak up the nitrogen. This could lead to major health problems nitrogen. This could lead to major health problems for humans such as septicaemia.for humans such as septicaemia.

The Threat of PollutionThe Threat of Pollution

4. Human Waste 4. Human Waste

Human causes of pollution include things such as Human causes of pollution include things such as sewage, rubbish and litter. Sewage needs to be sewage, rubbish and litter. Sewage needs to be treated before it is safe to enter the water system treated before it is safe to enter the water system again it carries hundreds of diseases and can cause again it carries hundreds of diseases and can cause eutrophication. Billions of tons of rubbish is dumped eutrophication. Billions of tons of rubbish is dumped every day to rot in the ground giving off toxic gases, every day to rot in the ground giving off toxic gases, and litter has been identified as the main cause of and litter has been identified as the main cause of the increase in the UK rat population to around 70 the increase in the UK rat population to around 70 million. million.

The Threat of PollutionThe Threat of Pollution

The Environment: Secular Analysis The Environment: Secular Analysis There are many conflicting arguments about how to deal with There are many conflicting arguments about how to deal with environmental problems, even amongst scientistsenvironmental problems, even amongst scientists..

1. Government Action:1. Government Action:Set carbon emission limits on Set carbon emission limits on

cars, heavier tax for cars, heavier tax for those who use the roads those who use the roads more and unnecessarily. more and unnecessarily. Signing up to the Kyoto Signing up to the Kyoto ProtocolProtocol

to cut greenhouse to cut greenhouse gas emissions un-gas emissions un-like the USA who like the USA who refused to as it refused to as it would affect the would affect the American way of American way of life and China and India who life and China and India who

refused as it would stand refused as it would stand in the way of their own in the way of their own industrial progress.industrial progress.

2. Alternative Lifestyles:2. Alternative Lifestyles:Some people only use natural Some people only use natural products such as cotton or wool, products such as cotton or wool, eat organic food, and ride bikes eat organic food, and ride bikes instead of driving cars. If we all instead of driving cars. If we all lived this way there would be no lived this way there would be no environmental problems.environmental problems.

3. Science and Technology 3. Science and Technology

• There are now several alternative There are now several alternative ways of making electricity which do ways of making electricity which do

not produce carbon dioxide or not produce carbon dioxide or nuclear waste.nuclear waste.

• Car manufacturers Car manufacturers are looking at water, are looking at water,

sugar cane and electric sugar cane and electric batteries as alternatives batteries as alternatives

forms of power.forms of power.

• Most cars are now made of up to Most cars are now made of up to 75% recycled material. Better 75% recycled material. Better efficiency means it would take 50 efficiency means it would take 50 small cars built in 2007 to produce small cars built in 2007 to produce the same pollution as 1 small car the same pollution as 1 small car in 1977. Although thein 1977. Although the

• number of cars number of cars will will • be higher be higher pollutants pollutants emitted from emitted from cars cars will have will have reduced byreduced by 75% by 2010 75% by 2010 fromfrom 1992.1992.

• Scientists are using chemicals from Scientists are using chemicals from plants rather than oil to produce things plants rather than oil to produce things

such as plastics.such as plastics.

Natural resources can be divided into two main types:Natural resources can be divided into two main types:

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources: : Resources that can be Resources that can be

used over and over again used over and over again because they renew because they renew

themselves naturally. themselves naturally. Renewable resources Renewable resources

usually produce little or no usually produce little or no pollution.pollution.

Non-Renewable Non-Renewable ResourcesResources: :

Resources that can only Resources that can only be used once. Non-be used once. Non-

Renewable resources Renewable resources disappear once they are disappear once they are

used and often cause used and often cause pollution in their use.pollution in their use.

WindWind Water/WaveWater/Wave

SolarSolar Fertile LandFertile Land

Oil Seed Rape/Sugar CaneOil Seed Rape/Sugar Cane

Soft WoodsSoft Woods

OilOil Natural GasNatural Gas

IronIron CoalCoal

TinTin

Uranium Uranium

CopperCopper

Hard Wood Hard Wood

• These cause no problems These cause no problems to to

the environment but are the environment but are expensive to produce.expensive to produce.

• Use of these creates problems Use of these creates problems asas

they become more scarce and they become more scarce and produce pollution produce pollution

Creation and the EnvironmentCreation and the Environment

Christianity teaches Christianity teaches that God created the universe in that God created the universe in such a way that it has produced an such a way that it has produced an environment perfectly suited for environment perfectly suited for human life.human life.

Genesis 1 & 2 state that God appointed Genesis 1 & 2 state that God appointed humanity as stewards of His creation. As a humanity as stewards of His creation. As a result, most Xians feel they have a result, most Xians feel they have a responsibility to look after the environment responsibility to look after the environment on behalf of God.on behalf of God.

Beca

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the Earth belongs to the Earth belongs to God.God.

This factory refines coal from its mountain top open cast This factory refines coal from its mountain top open cast

mine. mine. Q. Should a Christian fight for the closure of this . Should a Christian fight for the closure of this factory?factory?

Stewardship includes a responsibility for humans too. Shutting down Stewardship includes a responsibility for humans too. Shutting down this factory could put thousands of people out of work, affecting the this factory could put thousands of people out of work, affecting the

lifestyle of whole communities. lifestyle of whole communities. This would This would not be a Christian solution. So what would?be a Christian solution. So what would?

Stewardship of the EnvironmentStewardship of the Environment

Stewardship: ‘Looking after

something so that it can be passed on to the next generation.’

Stewardship of the EnvironmentStewardship of the Environment

As stewards many Christians today feel…As stewards many Christians today feel…

• They should They should leave the leave the Earth in a Earth in a

better state better state than they than they

received it by received it by reducing reducing

pollution and pollution and preserving preserving resources.resources.

• They should They should leave the leave the Earth in a Earth in a

better state better state than they than they

received it by received it by reducing reducing

pollution and pollution and preserving preserving resources.resources.

• They should They should share the Earth’s share the Earth’s

resources resources helping LEDCs helping LEDCs

(less (less economically economically

developed developed countries) countries)

without causing without causing more pollution.more pollution.

• They should They should share the Earth’s share the Earth’s

resources resources helping LEDCs helping LEDCs

(less (less economically economically

developed developed countries) countries)

without causing without causing more pollution.more pollution.

• God will judge God will judge them not only on them not only on

their faith but how their faith but how they lived. Is their they lived. Is their

lifestyle lifestyle environmentally environmentally aware? Do they aware? Do they actively support actively support

environmental and environmental and humanitarian humanitarian

causes. causes.

• God will judge God will judge them not only on them not only on

their faith but how their faith but how they lived. Is their they lived. Is their

lifestyle lifestyle environmentally environmentally aware? Do they aware? Do they actively support actively support

environmental and environmental and humanitarian humanitarian

causes. causes.

Stewardship: Stewardship: ‘‘Looking after Looking after

something so that something so that it can be passed it can be passed on to the next on to the next generationgeneration.’.’

God said ‘let us make man in our own image to have dominion over all living things … and God told man to rule over all the earth.

(Genesis 1:26-30)

Christians Christians believe that with believe that with authority comes authority comes responsibility for responsibility for God’s creationGod’s creation

Islam and the Created EnvironmentIslam and the Created EnvironmentIslam teaches that the universe and everything in Islam teaches that the universe and everything in it was created by God as a place perfectly suited it was created by God as a place perfectly suited to human life.to human life.

• The universe The universe was created by was created by one God and as one God and as such the whole such the whole of creation has of creation has

a unity, a a unity, a common bond, common bond,

within it.within it.

• The universe The universe was created by was created by one God and as one God and as such the whole such the whole of creation has of creation has

a unity, a a unity, a common bond, common bond,

within it.within it.

The Qur’an states: ‘The Qur’an states: ‘The sun and moon follow The sun and moon follow courses exactly computed; And the herbs and the courses exactly computed; And the herbs and the

trees – both alike bow in adoration… He has set trees – both alike bow in adoration… He has set up the balance in order that you may not break up the balance in order that you may not break

the balance.the balance.’ Surah 55:5-8’ Surah 55:5-8

The Qur’an states: ‘The Qur’an states: ‘The sun and moon follow The sun and moon follow courses exactly computed; And the herbs and the courses exactly computed; And the herbs and the

trees – both alike bow in adoration… He has set trees – both alike bow in adoration… He has set up the balance in order that you may not break up the balance in order that you may not break

the balance.the balance.’ Surah 55:5-8’ Surah 55:5-8• Everything Everything is created by is created by

God so God so humans must humans must respect God’s respect God’s creation and creation and treat it with treat it with

care.care.

• Everything Everything is created by is created by

God so God so humans must humans must respect God’s respect God’s creation and creation and treat it with treat it with

care.care.

• There is a There is a balance in balance in creation so creation so

humans must work humans must work to maintain the to maintain the

ecological stability ecological stability put in place by put in place by God since the God since the

creation.creation.

• There is a There is a balance in balance in creation so creation so

humans must work humans must work to maintain the to maintain the

ecological stability ecological stability put in place by put in place by God since the God since the

creation.creation.

The Qur’an states: ‘The Qur’an states: ‘Behold thy Lord said to the Behold thy Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a vice-gerent on earth.’ And angels, ‘I will create a vice-gerent on earth.’ And he taught Adam the nature of all thingshe taught Adam the nature of all things.’’ Surah .’’ Surah 2:302:30

The Shari’ah (Muslim The Shari’ah (Muslim Law) and Ummah Law) and Ummah

(Muslim Community) (Muslim Community) teaches a respect for all teaches a respect for all

of God’s creation of God’s creation

• Islam teaches that God Islam teaches that God created humans as his created humans as his stewards (Khalifahs) of stewards (Khalifahs) of the Earth. He showed the Earth. He showed

people how to look after people how to look after the Earth in the Qur’an. the Earth in the Qur’an.

Islam teaches that God Islam teaches that God created Adam as his created Adam as his

‘Khalifah‘ (vice-gerent; ‘Khalifah‘ (vice-gerent; someone who looks after someone who looks after things on your behalf) or things on your behalf) or

steward of creation.steward of creation.

• Life is a test and God Life is a test and God will judge Muslims on will judge Muslims on their faith and actions, their faith and actions, including how well they including how well they looked after the world.looked after the world.

Islam and the Created EnvironmentIslam and the Created Environment

Importance of Infertility Treatment

• Infertility is an increasing issue in the Infertility is an increasing issue in the UK with around 12-14% of couples UK with around 12-14% of couples

unable to conceive.unable to conceive.

• Male infertility is a particular problem Male infertility is a particular problem with around 1.5m men in the UK with around 1.5m men in the UK experiencing fertility problems.experiencing fertility problems.

• in 2007, 12% of all births in the UK in 2007, 12% of all births in the UK were as a result of fertility treatment - were as a result of fertility treatment - this shows how important it is to many this shows how important it is to many

thousands of couples.thousands of couples.

• It is part of human nature to want to It is part of human nature to want to have a child, it is how humanity have a child, it is how humanity

continues. Many people suffer from continues. Many people suffer from depression and other mental health depression and other mental health

issues due to infertility. issues due to infertility.

Importance of Infertility Treatment

• Infertility is an increasing issue in the Infertility is an increasing issue in the UK with around 12-14% of couples UK with around 12-14% of couples

unable to conceive.unable to conceive.

• Male infertility is a particular problem Male infertility is a particular problem with around 1.5m men in the UK with around 1.5m men in the UK experiencing fertility problems.experiencing fertility problems.

• in 2007, 12% of all births in the UK in 2007, 12% of all births in the UK were as a result of fertility treatment - were as a result of fertility treatment - this shows how important it is to many this shows how important it is to many

thousands of couples.thousands of couples.

• It is part of human nature to want to It is part of human nature to want to have a child, it is how humanity have a child, it is how humanity

continues. Many people suffer from continues. Many people suffer from depression and other mental health depression and other mental health

issues due to infertility. issues due to infertility.

Any child born using DI (donor insemination) since 1st April 2005, now has the legal right, once 18, to discover who their genetic parents are.

IVFIVF (In-vitro In-vitro fertilisationfertilisation): when the egg from the

woman is fertilised outside the womb using either the husband’s or a

donor’s sperm and then replaced in the

womb

AIHAIH (Artificial Insemination by Artificial Insemination by HusbandHusband):

When sperm from the husband is inserted into his wife by

mechanically means.AIDAID (Artificial Insemination by Artificial Insemination by DonorDonor):

When sperm from a donor, other than the husband, is inserted

into the woman by mechanically means.Egg DonationEgg Donation:

When an egg is donated by another woman,

fertilised using IVF by the husband’s sperm and then placed in the wife’s womb.

Embryo DonationEmbryo Donation:When both egg and sperm from donors are fertilised using

IVF and the inserted into the woman’s

womb.

SurrogacySurrogacy:When the egg and sperm of a couple are fertilised by IVF then placed in another

woman’s womb. Or, the sperm of a husband is artificially inseminated into another woman to have the baby for

them. The baby is handed over at birth.

All treatment and cases of experimentation in the UK are monitored l methods of

fertility by the Human Fertilisation and Human Fertilisation and Embryology AuthorityEmbryology Authority

H F EH F E AA

“And God blessed them saying to the man and the woman;‘be fruitful and increase in number.’” Genesis 1:28

Catholics bans all fertility treatment involving medical

technology.

God has given a natural way for a husband and wife to

conceive and it is for God alone to decide if a couple should have

a child or not. IVF involves fertilising several

eggs, some of which are destroyed or used for

experimentation, this is like abortion.

God intended procreation through intercourse, fertility

treatment bypasses this. It also involves masturbation which is classed as a sin in Catholicism

Anything that disassociates the husband and wife in creating a

child, or introduces another person into the process, is

‘gravely immoral’.

Most Other Christian Churches allow IVF & AIH.

God has given humanity the technology to provide infertile

married couples with a child and create a family. This is one of the

purposes of marriage. The egg and sperm are both

from the husband and wife so the baby will be the biological child of

the parents. The concept of Double Effect allows for some embryos (up to

14 days old) to be destroyed if the motive is to bring new life

from embryos. Although other methods are not banned, they could lead to identity issues in the child or

legal issues for parents which do not help family life.

All Christians would encourage childless couples to adopt.

Most Muslims will accept IVF & AIH for couples having fertility problems.

IVF & AIH is simply seen as the use of medical technology to bring

about family life which is encouraged in Islamic life.

The egg and sperm are both from the husband and wife so the baby will

be the biological child of the parents.

The discarded embryos are not yet foetuses and their destruction can be justified because it is not

taking life and the intention is to give childless couples children

All other forms of embryo technology are banned:

These methods deny the child’s right to know its natural parents. This is essential within

Islamic religion and culture.

Any form of egg or sperm donation is regarded as adultery,

a grievous sin within Islam.

Egg and sperm donation is also seen as being like adoption - which would not be appropriate in

this circumstance.

Adoption has specific rules including: the child retains its biological parent’s name, full adoption

is banned and adopted children are not considered ‘muhrim’.

Transplant surgery is using healthy organs from a donor to replace a dying or defective organ in a

patient with the result of extending their life and/or adding to their quality of life.

There are two main types of organ donation:

Deceased Donors: This is where people who have died have either previously given permission for their organs to be used, or, relatives of the deceased person give their permission.

Living Donors: this is where living people donate parts of their body they can live without such as bone marrow and a single kidney.

In 2007, 7234 people were on the waiting list for vital organ donations. However, in 2006

only 3000 transplants took

place.

In a survey, 90% of the public were in

favour of transplant surgery yet less than 50% have

registered.

One third of families refuse to give permission for

organs of deceased relatives to be used,

even though the person has already signed the organ donation register.

Transplant surgery is proven method of both saving lives (heart and

liver) and improving lives (cornea and kidney).

Transplant surgery can bring life out of death and joy out of sorrow, rather than

being buried or burnt.ULTRA (Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory

Authority) is a government organisation set up to monitor live transplants and preventing the selling of

organs.Q. Do you think a people should be able to sell

their organs?

Most Christians are supportive of transplant surgery.

Christians who believe in the immortality of

the soul believe the body is not needed after death and so organs can be used to help the living.

Christians who believe in the resurrection of

the body believe they will have a

transformed body not subject to

physical needs.

Jesus’ teaching of ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and the Golden

Rule are both in keeping with the ideals of transplant

surgery

However, they would be

against selling organs as this can lead to the exploitation of the poor (e.g. A father selling a kidney to feed

his family).However, some Christians accept live transplants but not those from deceased donors. They would see

the vital organs,

particularly the heart, as part

of God’s creation of the

individual person and so should not be

used.

Humans do not have the right to act like God and using the organs of a

dead person to give life to another is

usurping the role of God for

yourself.

Using organs from living

people does not affect the belief in the

sanctity of life and so can be used to fulfil the teachings of Jesus in the

Bible.

However, they would be

against selling organs as this

can lead to medical

assistance only available for

the rich and not for the poor.

Some Christians are against transplant surgery

It raises a problem about when organs should be harvested (taken) e.g. A heart

needs to be still beating when

removed.Using organs of one person to keep another

alive could be going against the will of God.

God may see that person’s time as being

up.In Leviticus (17:11) is says ‘the life of a being is in the blood’. Some

groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses,

will not accept blood or organ transplants as it is seen as passing or mixing ‘life’ from one

body to another.

On August 8On August 8thth 2000 two girls named Jodie 2000 two girls named Jodie and Mary were born in London to a Maltese and Mary were born in London to a Maltese couple. They were conjoined (Siamese) couple. They were conjoined (Siamese) twins. As the girls were sharing vital twins. As the girls were sharing vital organs they could not survive if they organs they could not survive if they remained in this state. Therefore, the remained in this state. Therefore, the doctor’s at the hospital wanted to separate doctor’s at the hospital wanted to separate the twins. The Roman Catholic Church the twins. The Roman Catholic Church attempted to gain a High Court ruling to attempted to gain a High Court ruling to block the separation seeing it as killing one block the separation seeing it as killing one child so their organs could be used by the child so their organs could be used by the other, this would be considered an evil act. other, this would be considered an evil act. The family, who were also Catholic, did not The family, who were also Catholic, did not want the separation to take place either. want the separation to take place either. The Catholic Church offered to look after The Catholic Church offered to look after the girls and their family in a hospice in the girls and their family in a hospice in Rome until the girls died, which was Rome until the girls died, which was expected to be around six months later. expected to be around six months later. The High Court agreed with the doctors The High Court agreed with the doctors and the separation took place on 7and the separation took place on 7thth November 2000. During the operation November 2000. During the operation Mary died, Jodie lived and is expected to Mary died, Jodie lived and is expected to lead a full and normal life.lead a full and normal life.

Most Muslims are against transplant surgery

Shari’ah Law teaches that nothing should be removed from the body after death (even for a post-mortem) as Muslims believe they will need all their bodily organs if they are to be resurrected to face Allah on the last day.

The Qur’an states that god has created the body of a person so to take parts from one body and put them in another is to take on the role of God (shirk). This is considered as the greatest sin in Islam.

Like Christians and Jews, Muslims

believe in the Sanctity of Life, meaning, only

God has the right to decide how and when a person

should live or die.However, Some Muslims will

allow transplant using organs from a living donor.

In 1995 the Muslim Law Council of the United Kingdom, issued a fatwa (a legal

ruling based on Islamic law made by senior Islamic figures). This stated that it was acceptable for living donations to be

made and received in keeping with Islamic law.

Islamic religious lawyers agree that Islam aims to do good and not cause a burden.

Therefore, if a close relative was dying and a transplant would save them, then it should be done, just as pork may be

eaten if a Muslim would otherwise starve to death.

Key Words and meanings.

What is global warming?

Three possible causes of global warming.

Four forms of pollution.

Possible solutions to pollutions.

Natural resources.

Christianity and stewardship of creation.

Islam and stewardship of creation.

Infertility treatment.

Christian view on infertility treatment.

Islamic view on infertility treatment.

Transplant surgery.

Christian view on transplant surgery.

Islamic view on transplant surgery.