Morals and Medicine

Subject: Religious Education / Philosophy
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14 - 16
Order Number: 14048

Is abortion a woman's right? Does transplant surgery affect a person's identity? Will stem cell research open the way to cures for illnesses like Alzheimer's disease? Should conjoined twins be separated if the procedure risks their lives?

These questions raise important issues within the field of medical ethics and this course offers pupils the opportunity to ask moral questions within a medical context.

Morals and Medicine is designed for pupil's aged 14-16 who are studying GCSE RE or compulsory RE. However, it also offers support to those students studying Religious Ethics at AS Level, since it aims to encourage critical thinking about key issues facing the medical industry.

Each lesson has a central aim, which helps maintain focus and clarity. Topic areas include:

• Cloning
• Euthanasia
• Vivisection
• IVF
• Cryogenics
• Genetic Engineering
• Embryo Research

The scheme of work, which accompanies this resource, offers a guide for both specialist and non-specialist teachers. It also includes a section on extension tasks, enabling the teacher to stretch the more able pupils. The activity sheets are designed to deliver the information required for each lesson, along with the tasks that allow pupils to explore the issues in a structured way.

Continuing improvements in medical technology require ever more critical analysis of their ethical dimension. Morals and Medicine offers pupils the chance to explore the technology and new ideas which face the world of 21st Century medicine, whilst applying the moral lens of every keen philosopher.