1. Revision: marking homework for Rights and Responsibilities h/w sheet. Make sure you mark your sheet in a different colour and bring it in to the next lesson. This is the last of the information capture sheets. Please make sure you have all four booklets with you at your next lesson.

2. Unit 1 Key Words What is the Bible? The holy book of Christians. What is the Decalogue? The ten commandments. What is the Church? The community of Christians. What does it mean to be moral? Doing the right thing. What is the church? A Christian place of worship.

3. 1.1 The Bible as a basis for making moral decisions. What kind of teachings are in the Decalogue? There is clear guidance on the treatment of parents; stealing; murder; adultery and lying. What are the three things Christians use to help them to make moral decisions? The Church, the Bible and their conscience. Why do many Christians only use the Bible when making a moral decision? 1. They believe the Bible is the word of God and so is God’s guidance to humans about how to make decisions. 2. The Bible contains God’s teachings on how Christians should behave. The Decalogue (10 commandments) give clear rules to live by. 3. The Bible contains the teachings of Jesus on how to live. As Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, they should follow his teachings about moral decision making.

4. 1.1 The Bible as a basis for making moral decisions. Why do many Christians only use the Bible when making a moral decision? (cont.) 4. The Bible records events in the life of Jesus and shows how he behaved. Christians believe they should follow his example. 5. The Bible contains letters from the leading disciples of Jesus about how Christians should behave. Christians believe that the writers of the letters were guided by the Holy Spirit so their guidance must be important for Christians today. 6. As Christians believe the Bible comes from God, only by following the Bible can they be sure that their moral decisions will be approved of by God.

5. 1.1 The Bible as a basis for making moral decisions. All Christians believe the Bible has some authority, but they do not all agree about its importance. Explain three other ways of using the Bible. 1. Some Christians believe that the Bible was written by humans inspired by God, so many of its attitudes need to be changed for the modern world (for example St. Paul’s attitude to women and slaves). 2. Some Christians believe they need the Church to tell them what the Bible Means today. 3. Other Christians would use their own conscience or reason to decide whether to follow the Bible today.

6. 1.2 The authority of the Church as a basis for making moral decisions. Why do most Christians believe that the Bible needs to be explained? They believe that the Bible needs to be interpreted and applied to today’s world. Why would Christians trust the Church to interpret the Bible for them? 1. They believe that the Church is the Body of Christ – Jesus working in today’s world – so it must have the same authority as Christ. 2. Most Christians believe that God speaks to the world today through the Church. 3. The Church is guided by God in making decisions on today’s moral issues. 4. Following the guidance of the Church stops Christians from becoming confused about what to do, and means Christians can be sure they are doing the right thing. 5. Roman Catholic Christians believe that the Magisterium (the Pope and the bishops interpreting the Bible and tradition for Catholics today), gives perfect guidance on moral behaviour.

7. 1.3 The role of conscience as a guide in making moral decisions. What is conscience? – An inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action. Why do some Christians believe they should follow their conscience? 1. They believe that the voice of the conscience seems to be the same as the voice of God, therefore Christians should follow it. 2. The Church says that Christians should follow their conscience as if it were the voice of God. 3. St Paul and St Thomas Aquinas taught that Christians should use their conscience as the final part of moral decision-making, so modern Christians should follow their conscience if it tells them the Church is wrong (e.g. on using artificial contraception). 4. The Bible often needs to be interpreted. The teachings of the Church come through the Pope, bishops, conferences, etc., but conscience is God speaking directly to individuals and so should be followed. 5. An example – Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Christian in Germany during the second world war. He followed his conscience and spoke out against the Nazis.

8. 1.3 The role of conscience as a guide in making moral decisions. Why do some Christians think they should not always follow their conscience? 1. People have heard the voice of God telling them to do bad things. If people can be mistaken about the voice of God, they could be mistaken about the voice of the conscience. 2. The teachings of the Bible are what Christians agree is the Christian thing to do. 3. If Christians follow the teachings of the Church, they are doing what other Christians think is right. 4. If everyone followed their conscience rather than laws, there would be chaos as no one would know what sort of behaviour to expect from each other. 5. People have been mistaken about the voice of God, for example, the Yorkshire Ripper claimed that God had told him to kill prostitutes. 6. An example – Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Christian in Germany during the second world war. He followed his conscience and spoke out against the Nazis. He also became involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler, he was caught and executed.

9. 1.4 Situation ethics as a guide in making moral decisions. What is situation ethics? The idea that Christians should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do. In situation ethics, right and wrong depend upon the situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights - each case is unique and deserves a unique solution. So a person who practices situation ethics approaches ethical problems with some general moral principles rather than a rigorous set of ethical laws and is prepared to give up even those principles if doing so will lead to a greater good. Who started situation ethics? Joseph Fletcher (an American Christian) in his book Situation Ethics which was published in 1966. It caused major controversy at the time. What examples did Joseph Fletcher give when discussing situation ethics? If the Bible says stealing is wrong, it cannot be allowed whatever the situation. So, if you find out that a madman has bought nuclear weapons, you could not steal them from him to save the world, because stealing is wrong. Fletcher felt this was wrong and said that Christians should only follow the Bible and/or the Church if it is the most loving thing to do. Therefore, a Christian would work out that the most loving thing to do in the situation of the madman would be to steal the nuclear weapons.

10. 1.4 Situation ethics as a guide in making moral decisions. What examples did Joseph Fletcher give when discussing situation ethics? Cont. Second Example: If a twelve year old girl was raped and became pregnant, she could not be allowed an abortion because the Church had declared that abortion was wrong (remember this was in 1966 although the Roman Catholic Church still forbids abortion). The most loving thing to do in the situation of the twelve year old girl would be to allow her to have an abortion. What evidence do Christians give to support the use of situation ethics as a guide for moral decision making? 1. Jesus seemed to follow situation ethics because he over-ruled what the Old Testament said when he thought it was unloving. For example, he healed people on the Sabbath because he said it was more important to do good than to obey the Sabbath laws. 2. These Christians think they should only do what will produce good results such as stealing the nuclear weapons and allowing the 12 year old girl to have an abortion.

11. 1.4 Situation ethics as a guide in making moral decisions. What evidence do Christians give to support the use of situation ethics as a guide for moral decision making? Cont: 3. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbour, meaning Christians should always do what will have the most loving results. 4. These Christians believe that Christianity is a religion of love and so Christians should make their moral decisions based on love not laws. One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked them, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’ Mark 12:28-31

12. 1.4 Situation ethics as a guide in making moral decisions.... reflective morality demands observation of particular situations, rather than fixed adherence to a priori principles John Dewey and James H. Tufts, Ethics, 1922... reflective morality demands observation of particular situations, rather than fixed adherence to a priori principles John Dewey and James H. Tufts, Ethics, 1922 Since 'circumstances alter cases', situationism holds that in practice what in some times and places we call right is in other times and places wrong... For example, lying is ordinarily not in the best interest of interpersonal communication and social integrity, but is justifiable nevertheless in certain situations. Joseph Fletcher, Naturalism, situation ethics and value theory, in Ethics at the Crossroads, 1995 Since 'circumstances alter cases', situationism holds that in practice what in some times and places we call right is in other times and places wrong... For example, lying is ordinarily not in the best interest of interpersonal communication and social integrity, but is justifiable nevertheless in certain situations. Joseph Fletcher, Naturalism, situation ethics and value theory, in Ethics at the Crossroads, 1995 Joseph Fletcher's Situation Ethics was hailed by many as a much-needed reformation of morality - and as an invitation to anarchy by others. Proposing an ethic of "loving concern, " Fletcher suggests that certain acts - such as lying, premarital sex, adultery, and killing - may be morally right, depending on the circumstances. (Review of the book Situation Ethics by Joseph Fletcher)

13. 1.4 Situation ethics as a guide in making moral decisions. Why do some Christians think situation ethics is wrong? 1. They believe the Bible is God’s word to Christians about how to live, so it should be the basis for moral decision-making. 2. They believe they should follow the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount rather than relying on their own ideas. 3. They think the Church knows better what Christians should do than an individual Christian. 4. They claim you can never be sure what the consequences might be. They use examples such as a doctor in a remote area who has one unit of blood to save the lives of two people (an alcoholic and a young mother). Following situation ethics he would use it for the mother, but actually the mother was a child abuser and the old man was about to discover a cure for cancer. So the doctor would have been better to follow the Christian teaching and to have given them half each and let God decide who survived.

14. 1.5 Why some Christians use a variety of authorities in making moral decisions. Some Christians would only use one authority when making a moral decision, but others may use more than one. What authority would a Protestant Christian usually use? The Bible as it is straightforward to use teachings such as the 10 commandments. When might they turn to the Church or their conscience? The Bible says nothing about modern issues such as contraception or civil partnerships, so they would have to look to the teachings of the Church or their conscience for guidance. What authority would a Roman Catholic Christian usually use? The authority of the Church and the Magisterium. What is the Magisterium? The Pope and the Bishops interpreting; the Bible; the teachings of the apostles; and tradition, for Catholics today.

15. 1.5 Why some Christians use a variety of authorities in making moral decisions. When might Roman Catholics turn to their conscience or to situation ethics? They might feel unable to apply the Church’s ban on artificial contraceptives to the issue of supplying condoms to African states with lots of AIDS cases. The Pope has recently ruled that condoms can be used if a persons health is at risk. They may also use their conscience or situation ethics in the case of civil partnerships. When might a Christian who follows their conscience turn to the authority of the Bible or the Church? 1. This might be when their conscience was telling them to do something they knew went against accepted Christian teaching. A good example would be if a Christian heard the voice of God telling him to kill all doctors who perform abortions. The Bible and the Church say that it is wrong to murder whatever the reasons. 2. A Christian who usually used situation ethics might decide that the issue was too complicated and the effects of a choice so uncertain that the safest thing would be to follow either the authority of the Bible or the authority of the Church. These are more likely to give the right choice that an individual trying to work it all out for themselves.

16. 1.6 Human Rights in the UK What are your human rights?  The right to life (not to be killed, to be protected by the law).  Freedom from torture and degrading treatment.  Freedom from slavery and forced labour.  The right to a fair trial.  The right not to be punished for something that wasn’t a crime when you did it.  The right to respect for private and family life.  Freedom of thought, conscience and religion – no one can be persecuted for their ideas and beliefs.  Freedom of expression – as long as you do not break other laws.  Freedom of assembly and association – to meet with others and to demonstrate.  The right to marry or form a civil partnership and start a family.  The right not to be discriminated against because of your rights.  The right to own property; The right to an education;  The right to take part in free elections – this included the right to vote and the right to stand as a candidate.

17. In which year was the Human Rights Act passed in the UK? 1998 What does the Human Rights Act give UK citizens? It gave UK citizens the same rights given to EU citizens in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. If any of your rights and freedoms are abused what do you have the right to do? If your rights or freedoms are abused you have a right to go to court even if the abuse was by someone like a police officer. What does having these rights also mean we need to do? Alongside rights we have duties. It is our duty to respect the rights of other people. 1.6 Human Rights in the UK

18. 1.7 Why Human Rights are important for Christians. Why do Christians believe that human rights are important? 1. The right to life is a basic Christian belief because of the belief that life is holy and belongs to God (sanctity of life). 2. All people are made in the image of God and so are one human family. Therefore it is important that everyone is treated fairly and equally so they have the right to;  own property  be free from torture, slavery and forced labour.  liberty (to be free to live their lives without fear)  a fair trial  an education  take part in free elections  Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association are an essential part of being Christian.  Christians must have the legal right to believe in Christianity, to share their beliefs with others, to meet together for worship and to have processions to celebrate Easter and Pentecost.

19. Why can some human rights cause problems for Christians? 1. Many Christians are against the right to form civil partnerships because they believe that homosexuality is against God’s will as shown in the Bible. 2. Some Christians are against the right to marry a person of a different faith. They believe that Christians should only marry Christians so that the children are brought up as Christians. 3. Some Christians are against the right of homosexuals to raise a family. They believe that children should be brought up by a mother and a father. 4. There might also be problems for the Catholic Church if human rights laws were used for women priests, or married priests. 1.7 Why Human Rights are important for Christians.

20. A leading Catholic lawyer has warned that Catholic charities across Britain are at risk from equality laws after an adoption agency was told it could lose its charitable status. The regulator said that although the charity provides a valuable service, it believed its current practice was unlawful, and gave it three months to change. Catholic Herald.co.uk 14 March 2013 The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church in its bid to be exempt from laws on adoption by gay couples. Catholic leaders in England and Wales say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, have written to Tony Blair. They say rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning.’ BBC News, 24 Jan 2007 1.7 Why Human Rights are important for Christians. “You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

21. 1.8 Why is it important to take part in democratic and electoral processes. What are the electoral and democratic processes? All citizens over the age of 18 can vote and every UK citizen over the age of 21 is entitled to be a candidate in any of these elections as long as they can find ten electors to nominate them and they put down a financial deposit. The UK is a democracy. What is every UK citizen over the age of 18 entitled to vote for?  MPs (the government must have a majority of the MPs in the House of Commons).  Local councillors  MEPs (members of the European Parliament).

22. 1.8 Why is it important to take part in democratic and electoral processes. Every citizen has the right to try to change the policies of the government, local council or EU. How can they do this?  By joining or forming a political party.  Bu joining or forming a pressure group.  By having a meeting with their MP, local councillor or their MEP. Why is it important to take part in electoral and democratic processes? 1. You pay income tax on your wages and VAT on what you but, and voting gives you some control over how much this is. 2. Local councils set the level of the council tax you have to pay, so voting gives you some control over how much this is. 3. The European Parliament has some control over EU spending, so it is important to vote in European elections

23. 1.8 Why is it important to take part in democratic and electoral processes. Why is it important to take part in electoral and democratic processes? CONTINUED; 4. Taking part in electoral and democratic processes gives you a chance to affect new laws which may be passed. 5. The national government is responsible for important things like the armed forces, schools, the NHS, benefits and pensions, so voting fives you a say in how these things are run. 6. Local councils are responsible for such things as: refuse disposal, leisure and cultural services, trading standards, social services, housing services, maintaining the roads, etc. – you can influence issues relating to this by taking part in the democratic process. 7. Your ancestors fought to have these electoral and democratic rights and so you should use them. 8. If people in the UK do not use their rights, a small number of people could elect a government which might take away our rights and treat us badly.

24. 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities. Most Christians believe that they should take part in electoral and democratic processes, but that they should be guided by Christian teachings. Many believe that it is their duty to bring about social change by making society more Christian in its nature. What are the main Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities? 1. THE GOLDEN RULE 2. THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND GOATS 3. AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER?

25. What is the Golden Rule? Jesus said that the Golden Rule of Christian life is to treat other people as you would want them to treat you. What quote could you use to show the Golden Rule? How can the Golden Rule be applied to moral duties and responsibilities? Christians use the Golden Rule when voting. For example if the party wanted to send all asylum seekers back to their home country, a Christian would think, ‘If I were a member of an ethnic group being slaughtered by the army, would I want to be sent back to be slaughtered?’ 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities. ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.’ Matthew 7:12

26. What is the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats? (This could be an 8 mark question)! The parable of the Sheep and Goats teaches that all people will be judged on how they have behaved towards others in their lives. Those who were kind will be rewarded and those who were selfish will be punished. What quote could you use to show the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats? 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ Matthew 25:41-43..... ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ Matthew 25:41-43..... ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45

27. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats? It tells Christians that at the end of the world / Judgement Day God / Jesus will judge everyone. The sheep will be the people who Jesus will say fed him when he was hungry etc. The people will say they never did this, but Jesus says whatever they did for someone suffering, they did for him, so they can go to heaven. However the goats will be told that as they did not do any of these things for other people, they did not do them for Jesus, so they will go to hell. The sheep gave food, drink, shelter to the stranger, clothes, looked after the sick and visited those in prison. 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities.

28. What does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats show to Christians? It shows that it is the duty of Christians to help the poor and suffering and should affect the way a Christian takes part in politics. For example: 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities. ‘ Archbishop of Canterbury has backed bishops who have written an open letter criticising government plans to change the benefits system. The Most Reverend Justin Welby's [head of the Church of England] move came after 43 bishops wrote to the Sunday Telegraph, saying the change would have a "deeply disproportionate" effect on children.’.......In a statement, Archbishop Welby said: "Politicians have a clear choice. By protecting children from the effects of this bill, they can help fulfil their commitment to end child poverty." ‘He said planned benefit changes, which would cap rises in welfare payments for the next three years, would exact a large price on families. The archbishop said a "civilised society" had a duty to support the vulnerable. "When times are hard, that duty should be felt more than ever, not disappear or diminish," he said.’.... "These changes will mean it is children and families who will pay the price for high inflation, rather than the government," he said. The statement is his first major intervention in political life since he was named in his new role in November..... The letter is in support of a campaign by the Children's Society which it said has also received support from the Roman Catholic and Methodist Churches, the Baptist Union, the United Reform Church and the Evangelical Alliance BBC NEWS website 10 March 2013 ‘ Archbishop of Canterbury has backed bishops who have written an open letter criticising government plans to change the benefits system. The Most Reverend Justin Welby's [head of the Church of England] move came after 43 bishops wrote to the Sunday Telegraph, saying the change would have a "deeply disproportionate" effect on children.’.......In a statement, Archbishop Welby said: "Politicians have a clear choice. By protecting children from the effects of this bill, they can help fulfil their commitment to end child poverty." ‘He said planned benefit changes, which would cap rises in welfare payments for the next three years, would exact a large price on families. The archbishop said a "civilised society" had a duty to support the vulnerable. "When times are hard, that duty should be felt more than ever, not disappear or diminish," he said.’.... "These changes will mean it is children and families who will pay the price for high inflation, rather than the government," he said. The statement is his first major intervention in political life since he was named in his new role in November..... The letter is in support of a campaign by the Children's Society which it said has also received support from the Roman Catholic and Methodist Churches, the Baptist Union, the United Reform Church and the Evangelical Alliance BBC NEWS website 10 March 2013

29. Where does ‘Am I my brother’s keeper’ come from? In Genesis 4, Adam’s son Cain is jealous of his brother Abel and murders him. When God asks Cain where his brother is, Cain replies, ‘I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ God then punishes Cain showing that God created humans to be their brother’s keepers, i.e. to look after each other. How does St. John explain this? These Christian teachings on being our brother’s keeper show Christians that they have a duty to look after everyone in need. 1.9 Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities. Do not be like Cain who... murdered his brother... If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions. 1 John 3:11-18 Do not be like Cain who... murdered his brother... If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions. 1 John 3:11-18

30. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning. What is genetic engineering? Is using techniques of gene (DNA) development to find cures or prevention for disease and disabilities in humans. What kind of diseases may be cured by genetic engineering? There is research looking for cures for cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anaemia, Tay-Sachs disease and Huntington’s chorea. What has most genetic research been based on?  Germline gene therapy, which allows cells that transmit information from one generation to the next to be changed.  Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which removes defective genes from embryos. All the above conditions can be detected by PGD as well as many more see list at; http://www.hfea.gov.uk/cps/hfea/gen/pgd-screening.htm.

31. How does PGD work? (This is extra info, you don’t need to know this apart from step 6)  The procedure for PGD is likely to be as follows:  Step 1. You undergo normal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to collect and fertilise your eggs.  Step 2. The embryo is grown in the laboratory for two - three days until the cells have divided and the embryo consists of around eight cells.  Step 3. A trained embryologist removes one or two of the cells (blastomeres) from the embryo.  Step 4. The cells are tested to see if the embryo from which they were removed contains the gene that causes the genetic condition in the family.  Step 5. Embryos unaffected by the condition are transferred to the womb to allow them to develop.  Step 6. Any suitable remaining unaffected embryos can be frozen for later use. Those embryos that are affected by the condition are allowed to perish.  Step 7. About two weeks after the embryo transfer, the woman is given a pregnancy blood test. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning.

32. What kind of work does the Wellcome Trust fund? The Wellcome Trust has overseen the Human Genome Project which has mapped all the genes in the human body. It currently funds the following research; Genomics Through our support of researchers and institutions, such as the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, we are working to build a complete picture of how variation in the genome affects our health and disease. The Cancer Genome Project is identifying genes critical to the development of human cancers, and the 1000 Genomes Project is searching for genetic variants that have frequencies of at least 1 per cent in the populations studied. The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) is identifying genes linked to major causes of global disease. Genetics in healthcare We are funding the development of innovative new products that will help turn genetic discoveries into new ways of treating and diagnosing disease. These include inhibitors of mutated proteins as cancer drugs and new technologies for the sequencing of large numbers of DNA samples. Research governance Our data sharing policy provides the appropriate safeguards to protect research participants and to maintain public trust. There is a site for children called Routes set up by the Wellcome Trust – Discover the secrets in your genes, it has games, videos and a murder mystery. http://www.routesgame.com/home/

33. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning. What are stem cells? Stem cells are the basic building blocks of life. They have the most amazing abilities and qualities, with the potential to become different types of cell in our bodies. That's why they offer us the greatest potential to treat degenerative conditions that affect us all – diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, arthritis, blindness, stroke and heart disease. ‘Take cirrhosis as an example, one of the biggest killers in the United Kingdom. Previously, the only treatment available for those with irreversible liver failure was transplantation, which brings the agonising wait for a donor and the real potential for rejection and infection. Now, scientists from London’s Imperial College have raised hopes for the future by repairing patients’ livers using bone marrow adult stem cells collected from their own blood. In fact, adult stem cells are currently being used to treat over one hundred different ailments and their potential benefits and applications continue to be explored at dramatic pace. Just next year a team of surgeons from University College London will attempt to repair severed nerves in patient’s arms with stem cells taken from their noses. Tried and tested in animal studies it is hoped that this technique may pave the way towards a cure for more serious spinal injuries, including paralysis.’ UK Stem Cell Foundation 17 March 2013

34. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning. What is stem cell research? Cloning (making an exact replica) has been used to grow healthy cells to replace the diseased ones. This process involves creating stem cells either from embryos produced for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) but not used, or from adult bone marrow or blood. How long has stem cell research been legal in the UK? It has been legal since 2001.

35. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning. Read through this information and take notes from the parts that are underlined. A ruling by the Court of Justice for the European Union at the end of last year that procedures using embryonic stem cells cannot be patented sent a shockwave through the biotechnology industry. However, one year on, human stem cell research is still thriving as it innovates to side-step the ethical issues surrounding the destruction of embryos. In fact, long before Greenpeace brought its case against the German neuroscientist, Oliver Brüstle, to the court last year, research scientists had [have] been exploring ways to create human stem cells using alternative methods. Scientists are now able to create human stem cells by "reprogramming" a mature human cell taken from a living donor to become a versatile cell known as an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS). It is thought that this breakthrough could eliminate the need for stem cells sourced directly from human embryos. And, crucially, inventions developed using human stem cells sourced using this new method [stem cell treatments] are still very much patentable. In recognition of their important work in this field, Japan's Shinya Yamanaka and Britain's James Gurdon won the 2012 Nobel Prize for Medicine last month. Shinya Yamanaka warned this week that the matter of ethics will remain a barrier to stem cell research for some time yet. He explained that new ethical issues are emerging regarding the potential production of germ cells – sperm or eggs – from differentiated cells. While some uncertainty remains about the future of stem cell research, researchers have demonstrated their ability to address ethical concerns and in doing so have ensured that their work remains patentable and commercially viable. As long as those involved in stem cell research can patent therapies that people need and health organisations want to buy, this field will continue to thrive. The Guardian Newspaper (online) Nov 15 2012 (accessed 17 March 2013)

36. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning. Are scientists able to use human-animal embryos? Yes, in May 2008 the UK Parliament made it possible to use human-animal embryos for medical research. Most of these embryos are likely to be cybrids (a human nucleus in an empty animal egg making an embryo which is 99.9% human). This can carry the DNA of patients with genetic diseases to research the causes and cures for the disease. In the present state of science, hybrid embryos are produced as research tools, and only kept alive for 14 days or fewer. The article below only deals with the ethical issues of this case, and not with the ethics of producing new creatures that are a combination of animal and human. A hybrid embryo is a mixture of both human and animal tissue. There are several types of hybrid embryo (listed below), but recent controversy has focused on cytoplasmic embryos. These are created by transferring nuclei containing DNA from human cells into animal eggs that have had almost all of their genetic information removed. The resulting embryos are more than 99% human, with a small animal component, making up around 0.1%. The embryos are grown in the lab for a few days, then harvested for stem cells: immature cells that can become many types of tissue. The embryonic stem cells are used in research into different diseases as a way of addressing the shortage of human eggs available for research. Scientists do not intend to actually create living animal-human hybrids. [Such beings are often referred to as chimeras after a creature in Greek mythology which had a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.] Some 200 medical charities have urged MPs to support legislation allowing the creation of animal-human embryos. The BBC Ethics Guide 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/hybridembryos_1.shtml (accessed 17 March 2013)

37. What are the non-religious arguments in favour of genetic engineering? 1. It offers the prospect for currently incurable diseases. 2. It is being done in other countries and so is available to those rich enough to travel and pay for treatments. 3. Cloning using animal eggs, as in cybrids, does not involve any loss of human life. 4. Genetic research is closely monitored by the law, but has vast potential benefits. What are the non- religious arguments against genetic engineering? 1. There is too little information about the long-term consequences. 2. It has effects which cannot be changed, so if anything went wrong it would be permanent. 3. It places too much power in the hands of scientists who could produce scientifically created human beings. 4. It treats the human body as no different from plants. 1.10 The nature of genetic engineering, including cloning.

38. How many attitudes towards genetic engineering and cloning are there in Christianity? Three; Liberal Protestant; Roman Catholic and some other Christians and Some Christians from a variety of denominations who are against all genetic research. What is the attitude of Liberal Protestants? They support genetic engineering as long as it is done to cure disease and not to create perfect humans. Why do they support it? 1. Jesus showed that Christians should do all they can to cure disease. 2. Finding genetic cures is no different from finding drug cures. 3. There is a difference between creating cells and creating people. 4. Embryos are not foetuses until they are 14 days old. 5. They accept the non-religious arguments in favour of genetic engineering. 1.11 Different attitudes to genetic engineering and cloning in Christianity.

39. What is the attitude of Roman Catholic and some other Christians? They agree with genetic research but they do not agree with genetic research if it involves the use of embryos. Why does the Roman Catholic support genetic research? 1. Jesus showed that Christians should do all they can to cure disease. 2. Finding genetic cures is no different from finding drug cures. 3. There is a difference between creating cells and creating people. Why does the Roman Catholic Church not agree with genetic research if it involves the use of embryos? 1. Life begins at the moment of conception whether in a womb or a test tube and killing life is wrong. 2. Killing an embryo is killing a human life. 3. Embryos have been produced by un-Christian means (see topic 2.7 Environment and medical issues). 1.11 Different attitudes to genetic engineering and cloning in Christianity.

40. What is the attitude of some other Christians (a variety of denominations, a matter of conscience)? They are against all genetic research. Why are these Christians against all genetic research? 1. They believe that God creates the genetic make-up of each person at conception and people have no right to interfere with this. 2. It is trying to play God which is a great sin. 3. It is wrong to try to make the world perfect, only heaven is perfect. 4. They accept all the non-religious arguments against genetic engineering. Look at the excerpt below, did the 2008 bill become law? Yes 1.11 Different attitudes to genetic engineering and cloning in Christianity. Scientists are responding angrily to claims by the Catholic church that a new bill currently before the UK Parliament "will allow scientists to create embryos that are half human, half animal". Catholic churches across England and Wales read a statement making this claim to their congregations this week, and calling on Catholics to protest. British scientists have responded angrily that there are no such plans. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill due to be discussed later in 2008 in the UK House of Commons changes the regulations governing assisted reproduction and embryo research. It is strongly backed by the government and expected to become law next year. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales sent a letter to parishes which was read in churches on Sunday 20 January, saying the bill raised "key concerns". The leading concern was about hybrid embryos: "for example, from the egg of a woman and sperm from an animal. To do this would be a radical violation of human dignity.“ (From ‘Scientists hit back at Catholic church over 'cybrids‘’ New Scientist 25 Jan 2008. (accessed online 17 March 2013)