Medical ethics: Animals

Medical ethics: Animals

1. The nature and value of animals

   • God created animals - they are part of his creation and so should be treated with care
     • "Then God commanded, Let the earth produce all kinds of animal life" (Gensis 1:24)
   • Animals are valuable to God
     • "not one sparrow is forgotten by God" (Luke 12:6)
     • God makes his convenent with "all living beings" (Genesis 9:10)
   • Animals should not be allowed to suffer
     • Deuteronomy 25:4
     • "Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs" (Proverbs 12:10)
   • Humans have a responsibility towards animals
     • "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain" (Deuteronomy 25:4)
     • Genesis 1:28
   • Humans have dominion over animals
     • "Rule over the fish ... and the birds ... and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28)
   • Humans and animals are different: humans have a soul, a conscience, are capable of having a relationship ith God and are made in God's image
     • Humans were created "God made humans in his own image" (Genesis 1:27)
       • Humans have God like characteristics such as intelligence, creativity and conscience
     • "God ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7)
       • Many Christians interpret this to mean that God gave humans a soul whereas animals weren't created in God's image, given a duty (Genesis 1:27-28 indicated God gave humans the purpose to procreate and act as stewards) or a soul
   • It is acceptable to use animals to meet our needs
     • "Get up, Peter, kill and eat" (Acts 10:13)

2. The use of animals

   • It is acceptable to use animals to meet human needs but not human greed
     • "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" (Acts 10:13)
   • It is unacceptable to cause suffering to any living creature regardless of its status
     • If used by humans to meet a need, animals should not suffer or be treated cruelly
       • "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain" (Deuteronomy 25:4)
     • "Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are crule to theirs" (Proverbs 12:10)
   • The persuit of money should not come before the welfare of animals
     • "For the love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Timothy 6:10)
       • On this basis, things such as intensive farming, zoos, animal circuses and horse racing would be considered wrong by many Christians because as stewards, humans have a duty to care for all creatures

3. Medical research

   • Disagree
     • It is always wrong to cause suffering and pain to animals
       • Proverbs 12:10
       • Deuteronomy 25:4
       • Animals are part of God's creation and so are valuable and should be treated with respect
         • Genesis 1:24
         • Genesis 9:10
         • Luke 12:6
       • As stewards, humans have a responsibility towards animals
         • Genesis 1:28
         • Deuteronomy 25:4
         • Some Christians may consider it their duty to protect animals from the pain and suffering of medical research as they are unable to protect themselves
           • Christians try to follow the example of Jesus - in his ministry, Jesus was the voice of those who could not speak for themselves (he defended the weak and vulnerable)
     • Human suffering has a purpose
       • Just before he died, Jesus declared "it is accomplished" (John 19:30)
   • Agree
     • It is acceptable as it is using animals to meet the needs of humans
       • As the Bible is a source of moral authority, Christians will use its guidance
         • Acts 10:13
     • God has given humans dominion over animals
       • Acceptable to use animals in medical research as it meets a human need (the treatment, prevention and alleviation of medical conditions which cause humans pain and suffering)
         • Many Christians would argue that this is justified as part of the duty of stewardship is to ease or prevent the suffering of others
           • The Law of Love commands Christians to do the most loving thing with regards to human life and the sanctity of life requires Christians to respect and value human life
     • Humans are superior to animals
       • "you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7)
       • Humans were given a purpose by God and a soul - although animal life is still valuable, it is not as valuable as human life so it is acceptable to use animals as it benefits humans
         • However, it is wrong to cause them unnecessary pain and suffering (they should be monitored carefully)
           • Proverbs 12:10
           • Deuteronomy 25:4

4. Animal Cloning

   • What is cloning?
     • A clone is a genetically identical animal or plant
     • Cloning occurs naturally in identical twins and in some plants but clones can now be made artificially
       • The cloning of animals has many important commercial implications - it allows an individual animal that has desirable features, such as a cow that produces a lot of milk, to be dublicated several times
         • The most famous example of a cloned animal was Dolly the sheep in 1997
         • Plants are often cloned (whenever someone takes a cutting they are producing a clone)
   • Agree
     • It could benefit humans
       • Could provide a reliable supply of donor organs for transplant
       • Could be used in biomedical research - cloning can produce genetically identical laboratory animals which can be used as models for human disease
       • God gave humans power over animals (Genesis 1:28)
       • It is acceptable to use them to meet our needs (Acts 10:13)
       • Humans are superior - humans have a soul (Genesis 2:7), a conscience and humans were made "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27)
     • Cloning may help to maintain biodiversity and preserve endangered species
       • Good stewardship (humans have a responsibility towards animals)
       • Animals are valuable to God (Luke 12:6, Genesis 9:10) and part of His creation (Genesis 1:24) and so should be treated with care and protected
   • Disagree
     • Animals can suffer
       • e.g. the surrogate mother is at a greater risk of dying or suffering serious complications and the clones are much more likely to be miscarried, have birth defects, develop serious illness and die prematurely
       • It is wrong to cause suffering and pain to animals
         • They are part of God's creation and are valuable and should therefore be treated with respect and looked after
     • Cloning could result in a reduced gene pool and disease vulnerability, in turn causing suffering to animals
       • Humans should avoid causing suffering to animals (Deuteronomy 25:4, Proverbs 12:10)
         • We have a responsibility towards them (Genesis 1:28)