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Christian ethical teachings on bioethics: HSC Studies of Religion

Syllabus dot point

“Ethics: describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics (this page: bioethics)”

15 min read

Quick answer

Christian bioethics rests on a few principal teachings: the sanctity of life ("Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God", Catechism 2258); imago Dei (humans made "in the image of God", Genesis 1:27), giving every person equal dignity; "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13); love of neighbour (Matthew 22:39) and care for the sick (Matthew 25:36); stewardship of the body ("your body is a temple", 1 Corinthians 6:19); and conscience and free will (Galatians 5:13). Its sources are Scripture, tradition and the Catholic magisterium, natural law and conscience. Applied: Catholic teaching protects life "absolutely from the moment of conception" (2270), so rejects abortion and embryo-destroying research (2274); calls euthanasia "morally unacceptable" (2277) but permits refusing "over-zealous" treatment (2278) and pain relief under double effect, and praises palliative care (2279); calls organ donation "a noble and meritorious act" (2296); and judges IVF "morally unacceptable" (2377). Many Protestant churches share the principles but accept IVF and leave more to conscience; the Uniting Church has no single national position on voluntary assisted dying.

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What this dot point is asking

The Christianity depth study asks you to describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on ONE of bioethics, environmental ethics or sexual ethics. This page covers bioethics: ethical questions raised by medicine and the life sciences at the beginning of life (abortion, IVF, embryo research), in the middle (organ donation, genetic technologies, experimentation) and at the end (euthanasia, palliative care).

"Describe" means give the teachings; "explain" means show where they come from (sources) and why they lead to particular positions. Ethics has been examined every year: a Section II part (3 to 7 marks) or, as in 2020 and 2025, the Section III essay. Top answers organise by teaching, apply each teaching to specific issues, cite sources precisely (Scripture, the Catechism, church statements) and show diversity between denominations.

The must-know spine

Scripture (NRSVue): Genesis 1:27 (image of God); Exodus 20:13 ("You shall not murder"); Psalm 139:13 ("you knit me together in my mother's womb"); Deuteronomy 30:19 ("Choose life"); Matthew 22:39 (love your neighbour); Matthew 25:36 ("I was sick and you took care of me"); Luke 10:33-34 (Good Samaritan); 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (body as temple); Galatians 5:13 (freedom through love). Catechism: 2258 (life sacred), 2270 (from conception), 2274 (embryo as a person), 2277 (euthanasia "morally unacceptable"), 2278 (over-zealous treatment), 2279 (double effect; palliative care), 2280 ("stewards, not owners"), 2295 (research limits), 2296 (organ donation), 2376 to 2378 (IVF; "a child is ... a gift"). Documents: Donum Vitae (1987), Evangelium Vitae (1995; "culture of death"), Dignitas Personae (2008). Australia: voluntary assisted dying laws in every state (2017 to 2022); Uniting Church: no single national position.

The answer

Sources of Christian bioethics

Source How it works in bioethics
Scripture Does not mention IVF or stem cells, but gives principles: creation in God's image, the prohibition on murder, love of neighbour, healing
Tradition and the magisterium (Catholic, Orthodox) Church teaching applies Scripture to new questions: the Catechism, Donum Vitae (1987), Evangelium Vitae (1995), Dignitas Personae (2008)
Natural law (especially Catholic) Reason discerns human goods such as life and procreation; Evangelium Vitae grounds the ban on killing the innocent in "that unwritten law which man, in the light of reason, finds in his own heart"
Conscience (especially Protestant, and in all traditions) The informed conscience applies Scripture to complex choices; Galatians 5:13 links freedom to love
Lived experience Chaplains, Christian doctors, nurses and hospitals shape how teaching is applied in practice

The principal teachings

  1. The sanctity of life. "Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator ... God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end" (Catechism 2258). "We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us" (2280).
  2. Imago Dei and human dignity. "So God created humans in his image" (Genesis 1:27). Every person, whatever their age, ability or health, has equal dignity, so no life is worth less because it is weak or costly.
  3. The prohibition on killing the innocent. "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). John Paul II confirmed that "the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral" (Evangelium Vitae 57).
  4. Love of neighbour and compassion. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39); Jesus healed the sick and identified with them ("I was sick and you took care of me", Matthew 25:36). This drives Christian health care.
  5. Stewardship of the body. "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit ... you are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
  6. Freedom, conscience and responsibility. "You were called to freedom ... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another" (Galatians 5:13), which NESA's 2025 guidelines cite for bioethical decisions.

Applying the teachings to bioethical issues

Beginning of life

  • Abortion. Catholic teaching: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception" (Catechism 2270); the Orthodox Church and many evangelical churches also oppose abortion. Some Protestant churches allow it in limited circumstances (for example a serious threat to the mother's life) and emphasise pastoral care for women.
  • IVF. Catholic teaching rejects IVF using donor gametes or surrogates as "gravely immoral" (2376) and IVF within marriage as "morally unacceptable" because it separates procreation from the sexual act and creates surplus embryos (2377); "a child is not something owed to one, but is a gift" (2378). Most Protestant churches accept IVF for married couples, with concern for surplus embryos.
  • Embryo research and cloning. The embryo "must be treated from conception as a person" (2274), so research that destroys embryos is rejected by the Catholic Church; Catholics support research with adult and cord-blood stem cells. NESA's 2025 guidelines note the Catholic opposition to "cloning, abortion and reproductive technologies that destroy embryos", and Pentecostal caution about genetic research.
  • Prenatal diagnosis is permitted if it aims at protecting or healing, not at abortion (2274).

During life

  • Organ donation. "Donation of organs after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a manifestation of generous solidarity", with explicit consent (2296). Most churches encourage donation as love of neighbour.
  • Medical research. Research serves healing, but "cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons", and needs informed consent (2295).

End of life

  • Euthanasia and assisted dying. "Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia ... is morally unacceptable" (2277). Most Christian churches in Australia opposed the voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws passed in every state between 2017 and 2022, and Catholic hospitals and aged-care services generally do not provide VAD.
  • Refusing over-zealous treatment. "Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate" (2278): accepting death is different from causing it.
  • Double effect. Pain relief that may shorten life is acceptable "if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable" (2279).
  • Palliative care. "A special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged" (2279). Christian hospices express the positive side of the sanctity of life.

Denominational diversity

Issue Catholic and Orthodox Many Protestant churches
Abortion Opposed from conception Generally opposed; some permit in limited cases
IVF Catholic: morally unacceptable (2377) Generally accepted for married couples
Embryo research Opposed where embryos are destroyed Varied; some accept within strict limits
Euthanasia and VAD Opposed (2277) Mostly opposed; the Uniting Church has no single national position and respects diverse conscientious views
Organ donation Encouraged (2296) Encouraged
Palliative care Strongly supported Strongly supported

The differences arise mainly from sources of authority: Catholic teaching relies on natural law and the magisterium to give definite answers; Protestant churches rely on Scripture and conscience, and Scripture does not address most new technologies directly.

Evaluating Christian bioethics

  • Strength: consistency. One principle (the sanctity of life) generates positions across the whole of life, from conception to natural death.
  • Strength: compassion. Christian teaching pairs "no" to killing with "yes" to care: palliative care, hospitals, organ donation.
  • Challenge: a changing society. All Australian states have now legalised VAD, so Christian positions are counter-cultural; the 2020 HSC stimulus (Romans 12:2) captured this "do not be conformed" stance.
  • Challenge: disagreement. Christians disagree on IVF, embryo research and end-of-life law, which shows the role of conscience and interpretation.
Answering "Explain TWO ethical teachings relevant to ONE of the following areas" (5 marks, 2025)

Step 1: Name the area and the first teaching with its source

"In bioethics, the first teaching is the sanctity of life: human life is sacred because humans are created 'in the image of God' (Genesis 1:27) and 'God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end' (Catechism 2258)."

Step 2: Explain its application

"This leads Christians to protect life from conception to natural death, so the Catholic Church calls direct euthanasia 'morally unacceptable' (Catechism 2277) while allowing patients to refuse over-zealous treatment (2278)."

Step 3: Name and source the second teaching

"The second teaching is love of neighbour: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:39), which Jesus modelled by healing the sick."

Step 4: Explain its application

"This leads Christians to alleviate suffering through palliative care, 'a special form of disinterested charity' (Catechism 2279), and to donate organs, 'a noble and meritorious act' (2296)."

Common traps
Issues without teachings
"Christians oppose euthanasia" earns little; say which teaching, from which source, and why.
Treating all Christians as Catholic
Name the denomination and show where others differ (IVF, VAD).
Confusing euthanasia with refusing treatment
Withdrawing over-zealous treatment and double-effect pain relief are permitted in Catholic teaching.
Forgetting the positive teachings
Palliative care, organ donation and healing are as much a part of Christian bioethics as prohibitions.
Vague sources
"The Bible says life is sacred" is weak; cite Genesis 1:27, Exodus 20:13 and Catechism paragraphs.

In one sentence

Christian bioethics applies the sanctity of life, the image of God, the command not to kill, love of neighbour and responsible freedom, drawn from Scripture, tradition, natural law and conscience, to protect life from conception to natural death (rejecting abortion, embryo destruction and euthanasia in Catholic teaching) while promoting healing, palliative care and organ donation, with Protestant churches often reaching different conclusions on IVF and end-of-life law.

Try this

Q1. Outline the Catholic distinction between euthanasia and refusing over-zealous treatment. (3 marks)

  • What the marker wants. Catechism 2277 and 2278, intention to cause death versus accepting death, and an example.

Q2. Explain how the teaching of imago Dei guides Christian responses to embryo research. (5 marks)

  • What the marker wants. Genesis 1:27, Catechism 2274, the Catholic position, alternatives (adult stem cells) and Protestant diversity.

Q3. Analyse how the ethical teachings of Christianity guide adherents to navigate bioethical issues in Australia today. (20 marks)

  • What the marker wants. Several teachings with sources, applied to VAD, IVF and organ donation, denominational diversity, and analysis of how teaching meets contemporary law and practice.

Exam-style questions

Questions in the style of NESA exam questions on this dot point, each with a worked answer. They are written by ExamExplained unless tagged "Past paper"; the year shows the paper a question is modelled on.

2025 HSC SoR II Q24 (b)Past paper5 marks
Explain TWO ethical teachings relevant to ONE of the following areas: • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics.
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Criteria (NESA 2025 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(b), SoR II Q24(b)). 5: a thorough explanation of TWO ethical teachings relevant to the chosen area, integrated terminology. 4: sound explanation. 3: an explanation. 2: a description of at least ONE teaching. 1: statements about Christianity.

NESA's sample answer used bioethics. Its two teachings were the sanctity of life, "created in God's image (Genesis 1:27)", which shapes views on abortion and euthanasia "where life is valued from conception to natural death", and the duty to love one's neighbour (Matthew 22:39), which "guides Christian responses to medical care, advocating for the alleviation of suffering".

To reach 5, explain each teaching (its source and meaning) and apply it to a specific bioethical issue, for example sanctity of life to embryo research (Catechism 2274) and love of neighbour to palliative care and organ donation (Catechism 2279, 2296).

Source: NESA, 2025 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2025 HSC SoR II Q29Past paper20 marks
What is chosen to be upheld in ethical decisions is shaped by sources such as sacred texts or lived experience and how they help adherents navigate the world today. With reference to the stimulus, analyse how the ethical teachings of Christianity guide adherents to navigate the world today. In your response, refer to ONE of the following areas: • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics.
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Criteria (NESA 2025 marking guidelines, SoR I Q18, SoR II Q29). 17 to 20: a comprehensive analysis of how Christian ethical teachings guide adherents to navigate the world today, integrating the stimulus effectively, detailed and accurate information, integrated terminology. 13 to 16: thorough analysis. 9 to 12: an analysis. 5 to 8: a description. 1 to 4: general statements.

NESA's "answers could include" (bioethics): sanctity of life ("life is a gift from God"; Genesis 1:27) applied to euthanasia; love and compassion (Matthew 22:39) leading to palliative care over euthanasia; Catholic opposition to cloning, abortion and "reproductive technologies that destroy embryos"; Pentecostal caution about genetic research; free will and responsibility (Galatians 5:13); encouragement of organ and tissue donation.

Plan. Use the stimulus's two sources as structure. Sacred texts: imago Dei, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), love of neighbour, "your body is a temple" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Lived experience and tradition: Catholic magisterium (Catechism 2258, 2277 to 2279; Evangelium Vitae), Protestant conscience, chaplains and Catholic hospitals facing voluntary assisted dying laws in every Australian state. Analyse how these produce different but principled decisions across denominations.

Source: NESA, 2025 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2024 HSC SoR II Q24 (a)Past paper7 marks
(i) Outline ONE ethical teaching in Christianity. (2 marks) (ii) Explain how the teaching outlined in part (a) (i) is reflected in ONE of the following areas within the religious tradition of Christianity: • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics. (5 marks)
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What earns full marks (NESA 2024 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(a), SoR II Q24(a)): (i) an accurate outline of one teaching; (ii) a clear explanation of how that teaching is reflected in the chosen area, with evidence and terminology.

(i) Model. The sanctity of life: human life is sacred because humans are created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), so life is God's gift, not ours to dispose of.

(ii) Model. In bioethics this teaching is reflected in: Catholic teaching that life "must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception" (Catechism 2270), so abortion and embryo-destroying research are rejected; the rejection of euthanasia as "morally unacceptable" (Catechism 2277) with support for palliative care ("a special form of disinterested charity", 2279); and the acceptance of withdrawing "over-zealous" treatment (2278). Many Protestant churches share the principle but reach different conclusions on IVF or end-of-life law through individual conscience.

Source: NESA, 2024 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2023 HSC SoR II Q24 (a)Past paper5 marks
For we are . . . created in Christ Jesus to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10) With reference to the stimulus, explain how ONE ethical teaching in Christianity is applied in order to encourage adherents to do good. In your answer, refer to ONE of the following: • bioethics • environmental ethics • sexual ethics.
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Criteria (NESA 2023 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(a), SoR II Q24(a)). 5: an accurate and detailed explanation of how ONE ethical teaching encourages adherents to "do good", integrating the stimulus with clear and relevant examples and terminology. 4: accurate explanation using the stimulus. 3: an explanation. Lower marks for general statements.

Model (bioethics). Love of neighbour (Matthew 22:39) is applied to care of the sick: Jesus identifies with the sick ("I was sick and you took care of me", Matthew 25:36). Christians "do good" through hospitals, hospices and palliative care (in Australia, Catholic, Anglican, Uniting and Salvation Army health and aged-care services), through organ donation, which the Catechism calls "a noble and meritorious act" (2296), and by accompanying the dying rather than hastening death (2279).

Source: NESA, 2023 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2022 HSC SoR II Q24 (a)Past paper3 marks
Describe ONE ethical teaching in Christianity. In your answer, refer to ONE of the following. • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics
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Criteria (NESA 2022 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(a), SoR II Q24(a)). 3: accurately describes ONE ethical teaching from one of the prescribed areas. 2: briefly describes. 1: relevant statements.

Model (bioethics). The sanctity of life teaches that every human life is sacred because it is created in God's image (Genesis 1:27) and belongs to God, who alone is "the Lord of life from its beginning until its end" (Catechism 2258). In bioethics this means Christians must protect life at every stage, opposing direct killing through abortion or euthanasia while caring for the sick and dying.

Source: NESA, 2022 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2021 HSC SoR II Q24 (a)Past paper3 marks
Outline ONE ethical teaching within Christianity from ONE of the following. • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics
Show worked answer →

What earns 3 marks (NESA 2021 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(a), SoR II Q24(a)): an accurate outline of one teaching in the chosen area with relevant detail.

Model (bioethics). Christians believe that human life is a gift from God and must be protected. "Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia ... is morally unacceptable" (Catechism 2277), but it is legitimate to refuse "over-zealous" treatment (2278) and to relieve pain even if it may shorten life, provided death is not intended (2279).

Source: NESA, 2021 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2020 HSC SoR II Q29Past paper20 marks
Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. (Romans 12:2) How does this teaching guide Christians in their ethical behaviour?
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What earns 17 to 20 (NESA 2020 marking guidelines, SoR I Q18, SoR II Q29): a sustained, detailed and accurate explanation of how the teaching guides ethical behaviour, integrating the stimulus, with relevant evidence and terminology.

Plan (bioethics). Treat Romans 12:2 as a lens: Christian bioethics is a renewed mind that refuses to judge the value of life by the world's standards of usefulness or efficiency. Use: the sanctity of life (Catechism 2258); opposition to euthanasia (2277) despite changing laws; Evangelium Vitae's warning against a "culture of death" (1995); positive action through palliative care and organ donation (2279, 2296); and diversity (Protestant churches that accept IVF or allow conscience on end-of-life decisions still appeal to a mind renewed by God).

Source: NESA, 2020 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

2019 HSC SoR II Q24 (a)Past paper7 marks
(i) Outline ONE ethical teaching in Christianity. (3 marks) (ii) How does the ethical teaching outlined in part (a) (i) give guidance to adherents in ONE of the following areas? • Bioethics • Environmental ethics • Sexual ethics (4 marks)
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What earns full marks (NESA 2019 marking guidelines, SoR I Q13(a), SoR II Q24(a)): (i) an accurate outline of one teaching; (ii) a clear understanding of how it gives guidance in the chosen area, with terminology.

(i) Humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei, Genesis 1:27), so every person has equal and inviolable dignity.

(ii) In bioethics this guides Christians to protect vulnerable life (embryos, people with disabilities, the dying), to reject experiments that treat people as means (Catechism 2295), to seek informed consent, and to care for the sick as Christ (Matthew 25:36).

Source: NESA, 2019 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Practice questions

Original practice questions graded from foundation to exam level, each with a full worked solution. Try them before revealing the solution.

foundation3 marks
Describe the principle of the sanctity of life in Christianity. (Original)
Show worked solution →

The sanctity of life teaches that human life is sacred because it is created by God in God's image (Genesis 1:27) and belongs to God: "God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end" (Catechism 2258). Humans are "stewards, not owners" of their lives (Catechism 2280). Therefore innocent human life must never be directly taken ("You shall not murder", Exodus 20:13), and life should be protected from conception to natural death.

Marking: 1 for the definition, 1 for a scriptural source, 1 for the implication.

core5 marks
Explain Christian teachings on euthanasia and end-of-life care. (Original)
Show worked solution →
Opposition to euthanasia
Because life is God's gift, the Catholic Church teaches that "direct euthanasia ... is morally unacceptable" (Catechism 2277), an act or omission that "causes death in order to eliminate suffering". Most Christian churches oppose it, and churches in Australia opposed the voluntary assisted dying laws that every state passed between 2017 and 2022.
What is permitted
Refusing "over-zealous" or burdensome treatment is legitimate, because death is accepted, not willed (2278). Pain relief that may shorten life is permitted if death is not intended (the principle of double effect, 2279).
Positive duty
Love of neighbour (Matthew 22:39) and care for the sick (Matthew 25:36) lead Christians to palliative care, "a special form of disinterested charity" (2279), and to hospice work.
Diversity
The Uniting Church has no single national position and respects diverse conscientious views.

Marking (Original): 5 for accurate teaching, the distinctions, the positive duty and diversity.

core5 marks
Explain why Christian denominations differ on IVF. (Original)
Show worked solution →
Catholic teaching
The Catechism holds that IVF using donor sperm or eggs or a surrogate is "gravely immoral" (2376), and that IVF within a married couple is "perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain[s] morally unacceptable" because it separates procreation from the sexual act (2377); it also objects to the creation and destruction of surplus embryos, which must be treated "as a person" from conception (2274). "A child is not something owed to one, but is a gift" (2378).
Many Protestant churches
Most accept IVF for married couples as a use of God-given medical skill to relieve the suffering of infertility, while urging care about the fate of embryos.
Why they differ
Catholic teaching draws on natural law and the magisterium; Protestant churches give more weight to Scripture read with individual conscience, and Scripture does not address IVF directly.

Marking (Original): 5 for accurate positions with sources and an explanation of the difference in sources of authority.

exam8 marks
Analyse how Christian ethical teachings guide adherents in ONE bioethical issue. (Original)
Show worked solution →
Issue: embryo research
Scientists can use embryos left over from IVF to derive stem cells for research into disease.
Teachings
Sanctity of life and imago Dei (Genesis 1:27; Catechism 2258); the embryo "must be treated from conception as a person" (2274); research "cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons" (2295); love of neighbour motivates the healing of disease (Matthew 22:39).
Guidance in practice
Catholics support adult and umbilical-cord stem-cell research, which does not destroy embryos, and oppose embryo destruction; many Protestants weigh the potential to heal against the status of the early embryo and reach varied conclusions; Christians in medicine may use conscience to refuse participation.
Analysis
The same principles (sanctity of life and love of neighbour) can pull in different directions; how a denomination ranks them, and whether it holds that personhood begins at conception, determines its conclusion.

Marking (Original): 8 for accurate teachings with sources, application, diversity and analysis of why positions differ.

Practise this

Sources & how we know this

Based on the official NESA syllabus. Not yet individually reviewed by a person; always check NESA and your school's materials for current rules.

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