1. Starter Sanctity of life When does life begin Fertility treatments
What are the issues involved in the unit “Matters of Life”?
Sanctity of life
When does life begin
Fertility treatments
Genetic engineering
Cloning
Transplant surgery
Blood transfusion
The law on these issues
Christian and Jewish views on these issues

2. IVF Cloning AID Transplant Surgery AIH Blood Transfusion
A scientific method of making a woman pregnant, which does not involve sex. Conception occurs via sperm and egg being placed into a test tube.
The scientific method by which animals or plants can be created which have exactly the same genetic make up as the original, because the DNA of the original is used.
When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of a man other than her partner, but not through having sexual relations with him.
When someone else’s organs are put into a patient.
When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of her husband, but not through having sexual relations with him.
When a patient is given extra blood as part of an operation.
The modification of gene make-up to change the features of a human/animal.
Woman's egg fertilised artificially by another woman's partner.
Life is sacred because it is God-given.
The study of human embryos.
IVF
Cloning
AID
Transplant Surgery
AIH
Blood Transfusion
Genetic Engineering
Surrogacy
Sanctity of Life
Embryology

3. Christian Perspectives Jewish Perspectives
When does life begin?
Roman Catholics – life begins at conception.
Protestants – when the heart begins to beat OR when it can survive outside womb independently.
At birth.
In the Talmud – says life begins when greater part of body emerges from birth canal.
Views on fertility treatments?
Roman Catholics – say no to all types.
Protestants – only AIH or IVF with husbands sperm. AID not allowed as like adultery.
Only AIH or IVF with husbands sperm. AID not allowed as like adultery.
Views on blood transfusions and transplants?
Organ donation is encouraged
Roman Catholics accept transplants and blood transfusions – donation of organs and blood is seen as an act of charity.
Jehovah’s witnesses allow transplant surgery but not blood transfusions.
Jews are encouraged to be blood donors
Views on Cloning?
Most Protestants says cloning of humans is not desirable
Roman Catholics say to copy a human being is a threat to our individuality
No clear argument yet in Jewish law about this. To clone humans – could be argued as ‘playing God.’