Infertility treatment among Religions

1. Infertility treatment among Religions masturbation is a sin” Do you agree with this catholic statement? Why would someone disagree with you

2. Infertility treatment among Christians • All will learn at least 4 reasons why Christians have differing views on infertility treatment • All will compare the Christian view to their own • Most should understand the differences between IVF and AIH and the science involved • Skills: reflective learners

3. 1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he said unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he said unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. • 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said unto the man, Stretch your hand forward. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. • Book of Mark/ new testament/ Bible

4. Jesus was always helping and healing those in need He would break the law to do so. • Should Christians do the same? • So if a couple cannot conceive naturally should Christians allow a third persons (sperm or egg) to help the couple? • Should they accept the destruction of 10 embryos for the survival of one child?

5. 3d VIDEO explaining IVF 3:20

6. Christians today have to live according to Jesus teachings on holiness and helpfulness. They don not all share the same views on IHF and AIH for different reasons

7. The catholic view: • Life is given by God and no one has the right to children. They will accept methods of conception that do not threaten the sacredness of life and in which sex acts are natural. This means that all fertility treatments involving medical technology are banned for catholics. The reasons for this attitude are:

8. IVF involves fertilising several eggs, some of which are thrown away. This is no different from abortion. • All forms of artificial insemination involves masturbation by the male, which is a sin • All forms of embryo technology involves fertilisation that takes place apart from the sex act. Which is not God’s intention.

9. The other Christians allow both IVF and AIH. • It is good to use technology to provide couples with the joy of children as having children is one of the purpose of A Christian marriage • The egg and sperm are from the husband and wife and so the baby will be the biological offspring of its mother and father • The discarded embryos are not foetuses and can be justified by the doctrine of double effect (the intention is to produce children, not to kill embryos)

10. All Christians would encourage couples to adopt. They have a problem with other technologies involving a third person as it could create problems of identity. • Question: • B) do you think Christians should be able to have all types of infertility treatments if they cannot have a baby?

11. Swop books and read the different answers • Discuss!

12. Now stick the religious view into your book • Read it • and create 3 GCSE questions on it for your neighbour • This will be their homework