Starter quiz
- When did modern humans first appear?
- 3.8 billion years ago
- 4.5 million years ago
- 300,000 years ago ✓
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- What is natural selection?
- a process where species evolve based on survival advantages ✓
- the belief that humans are superior to animals
- a law regulating animal testing
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- What does the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulate?
- the banning of all animal testing
- the ethical treatment of animals used in scientific research ✓
- the protection of endangered species
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- What does Richard Dawkins believe about evolution?
- it is directed by a higher power
- it is caused by genetic mutations and survival of the fittest ✓
- it suggests animals have no moral worth
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- What is speciesism?
- the belief that some species are naturally superior to others ✓
- the idea that all animals should have the same rights as humans
- the study of how species are classified
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- Peter Singer believes that all ______ beings deserve moral consideration.
- 'sentient' ✓
Exit quiz
- What does the term ‘abortion’ refer to?
- the natural termination of a pregnancy
- the deliberate ending of a pregnancy ✓
- the medical process of delivering a baby early
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- What is a key belief of those who support the pro-life argument?
- a woman should have the right to choose to terminate her pregnancy
- a foetus has a right to life ✓
- abortion should be legal under all circumstances
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- Which biblical teaching could be used to argue against abortion?
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) ✓
- “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
- “Let the little children come to me.” (Mark 10:14)
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- Which of these is a view of abortion held by some Christian denominations such as the Church of England?
- abortion is always morally wrong
- abortion should never be allowed under any circumstances
- abortion may be the most loving option in certain circumstances ✓
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- What does Natural Law, as discussed by Thomas Aquinas, say about abortion?
- abortion is permissible if the mother’s health is at risk
- abortion is wrong because it violates the natural order of life ✓
- Natural Law has no bearing on the issue of abortion
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- Which of the following is a pro-choice argument for allowing abortion?
- the foetus has intrinsic value and a right to life
- a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body ✓
- abortion is only acceptable in extreme cases
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions.
- Jeremiah 1:5 suggests abortion is wrong, while Matthew 22:39 could support it as a loving choice in certain situations.
- Most Christian denominations are pro-life, but some may accept abortion in specific circumstances.
- Pro-choice arguments support a woman's right to choose
- Pro-life arguments oppose abortion, focusing on the intrinsic value and right to life of the foetus.
Common misconception
Abortion debates are always clearly pro-life vs. pro-choice.
Many positions are more nuanced, e.g., some people who identify as pro-life accept abortion in certain circumstances, and some who are pro-choice may personally oppose abortion but support the legal right to choose.
Keywords
Abortion - the deliberate ending of a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a child
Foetus - the developing human from around eight weeks of pregnancy until birth
Pro-choice - generally support a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion
Pro-life - generally opposed to abortion and in favour of the life of the foetus
Sacred - something that is considered holy, divine or deserving of great respect
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