Some countries with falling populations are actively encouraging people to have more children. Find out which countries are doing this. Evaluate the ways in which people are being encouraged to have more children and discuss the societal issues raised.
Nature of Science
In this chapter we learned about ethical issues that relate to human reproduction. 1. What is the role of science in making ethical judgements about issues in society? 2. Can science alone provide answers to ethical questions? 3. Which individuals and groups do you think have a role in making ethical judgements?
Chapter Summary
1. For a new human being to form, a male gamete (sperm cell) must meet and fuse with a female gamete (egg cell).
2. Fertilisation is the fusion of male and female gametes. 3. Puberty is the process of change by which a child’s body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction.
4. The menstrual cycle is a series of changes that takes place in the female reproductive system to allow for the possibility of pregnancy.
5. Menstruation is the release of the uterus lining, unfertilised egg and blood through the vagina.
6. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary. 7. Sexual intercourse results in the release of semen containing sperm into the vagina.
8. The fertile period is the time during the menstrual cycle when sexual intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.
9. Pregnancy is the development of the baby in the uterus. The average length of pregnancy in humans is 40 weeks.
10. The birth of a baby begins when the muscles of the uterus start to contract. 11. Family planning is the control of the number and spacing of children in a family. 12. Medical issues are issues that arise during the process of medical treatment. 13. An ethical issue is an issue about whether something is morally right or wrong. 1 4. A societal issue is one that affects a large group of people in a similar way.
