RELIGIOUS STUDIES ONLINE
 
  
 
 

The Use of Medical Technology

Within this topic, candidates should show understanding of how Christian views on the sanctity of life, correction of nature and intervention in nature influence attitudes to the following: fertility and genetic treatments, cloning, and the appropriateness of embryonic research, including the question of hybrid embryos. They should also consider who, if anyone, should / should not have the right to such treatments and the implications for those involved in them and (where relevant) for resultant children.

Fertility Treatments

  • artificial insemination – by husband (AIH) or donor (DI / AID);
  • in vitro fertilisation (IVF);
  • surrogacy (as an alternative to standard fertility treatments).

Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering

  • saviour siblings;
  • somatic cell therapy;
  • designer babies.

Cloning

  • reproductive cloning;
  • stem cell (therapeutic) cloning.