A2 Ethics - syllabus requirements for AQA  - which is the one I'm doing, dears.

A  Issues raised by science and technology: cloning, genetic engingeering, animal experimentation.

B  Economic and business ethics: inrelation to less economically developed countries; consumerism; investment/profits; business espionage.

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Candidates have to be prepared to consider these issues as they are viewed from perspectives within one religious tradition

AND

from the questions raised by Aristotle proposal and Alasdair MacIntyre's reconsideration of 'Virtue Ethics'  :  ie  What qualities of mind and character will lead to a person living a happy and ethically justifiable life.  

AND

The issues raised by questions of the extent to which we are really free to choose our actions and morality (determinism).  You need to be aware of 3 main positions on this one - 'hard' determinism; 'soft' determinism; Libertarianism.

Here's the issues we must consider some of the questions we might ask in our study of them:

Section A - Science, Religion and Ethics

Cloning - particularly of human beings

• Is cloning (or any other action for that matter) morally neutral in itself?  
• How would belief in a Creator impact upon any decision artificially to create life by cloning from another living being?
• Who does 'life' belong to?
• Is human life so valuable that humans are entitled to do anything in order to save/sustain/improve its quality?
• If so, then what of the valued of the cloned human life - what value has it in this context?
• Indeed is the cloned life 'human' at all and if so when does the life become human
• Are there some morally justifiable or unjustifiable purposes for cloning - 'Reproduction or Repair' ?
  

Genetic Engineering

Possible purposes - To extend 'choice' to potential parents - gender, intelligence, specific talent, eg musical talent etc; to eliminate 'undesirable' characteristcs - inherited illness, potential for anti-social behaviour (XYY Chromosome), other characteristics - say, homosexuality.

• Are we 'playing God' by attempting to make such choices?
• Might there be a purpose in suffering, even avoidable suffering? For those who suffer directly, and those who support the direct sufferers.
• What are 'undesirable' characteristics?  Many might feel that the elimination of inherited illness is a morally justifiable aim, but what of, say, homosexuality?  
• By defining certain characteristics as undesirable, what are we saying about those who have been born with such characteristics anyway?
• Can genetic engineering reduce evil?
• Are our ideals for humanity, such as more intelligence, better looks, better health etc, really beneficial overall for humanity?
• Does a struggle against adversity benefit humanity in any way?

Animal Experimentation

• What do religions teach about the proper relationship of humans to animals - Christian notions of stewardship; duty of kindness to animals; pantheistic ways of interpreting the relationship; 'Gaia' ecology;
• Which, if any, is the 'more valuable' life - human or animal?
• Purposes of animal experimentation; medical; 'cosmetic'; veterinary (experimentation on animals so as better to understand and treat animal disease.

 Section B  - Economics and Business, Religion and Ethics

Relationships between more and less economically developed countries

• What does the Bible (for we shall consider the Judaeo-Christian ethic) teach about how business should be conducted
• The Bible and relationships and responsibilities that exist between rich and poor people
• How does a colonial past impact on current economic relationships between nations?
• To what extent is real economic control available to less developed nations
• To what extent is economic control in the hands of nation states anyway?  What of multi-national corporations?
• How can/should multi-nationals be controlled by nation states?
• The relationship between 'aid' and 'trade'.
• Sale and advertising of products which are considered dangerous/unacceptable in more developed countries to less developed countries eg  certain medications; baby milk powder/products; cigarettes; chemicals;
• Basing production in countries where lower - standards of safety in the workplace, wages, levels of government regulation of working conditions - make production costs much cheaper, resulting in lower costs and prices, and higher turnover and profits.  

 Consumerism

• What do the Old Testament, Jesus and other New Testament writers have to say about the place of possessions in people's lives?  Their worth and dangers?
• What can 'getting and spending' add in terms of pleasure to people's lives?
• What are the implications of consumerism for manufacturers and those who work in industry?
• What moral and ethical issues are raised by advertising and marketing?

Investment and profits

• What does the Bible teach about business investment, reward, interest and ownership?
• Are there any businesses in which a morally alert person might hesitate to invest - arms? tobacco?
• If businesses are run for the benefit of the stock market and the shareholders - what about the workers?

Business espionage

• Should businesses be allowed to keep their discoveries to themselves for profit?
• Should employees 'blow the whistle' on employers for any reason?
• Is it possible to 'steal' an idea?

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