Genetic Engineering the Church View

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Genetic Engineering the Church View

A relatively recent issue, genetic engineering has nevertheless become an important enough internationally to cause public debates. The issue is complex, involving many parts and, of course numerous ethical concerns. Some of the parts enveloped by genetic engineering are cloning, modifications of genetic traits, and bioengineering of plants and certain animal to yield better crop and product. Much can be done using genetic engineering. Although we have a potential to harvest and already do see many advantages as a result of this, a deeper issue looms like a cloud on the horizon: are we prepared for the ramifications involved in this concept that has such high potential?

At the center of the issue is the perspective of the Church. And it is through human dignity that religion and cloning are linked. Genetic engineering, and, specifically cloning is deeply an issue of dignity. For example, the Catholic Church addressed human cloning in 1987, stating that cloning is contrary to the moral law, since it is in opposition to the dignity "both of human procreation and of the conjugal union" (2). Thus, cloning is contrary to our moral and theological beliefs since the normal reproduction does not take course: life is created through neither marriage nor sexual intercourse. God's plan for us is finding a mate-someone we spend the rest of our life with, have children, pass on our knowledge and genetic material. God's plan is for us to have two biological parents-those whose genetic, physical, and mental information comes together to produce a new, different being. Cloning completely disrupts God's plan.

A rather controversial issue, cloning, as most such issues, forces one to take a stand on either moral, ethical, religious, or other grounds. Once faced with such dilemna, various religious movements have had to take such stand, which are rather varied throughout the different faiths. The Catholic Church, for example, has denounced cloning and has specifically called to put a ban on human cloning. "God alone is the master of human life and of its integrity" states Pope John Paul II. "To respect the dignity of man, consequently, amounts to safeguarding this identity of the man "corpore et anima unus," states the Vatican Council II (3). The biological individuality of a person is untouchable, being made of bot...

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...f effects. This, in our history, humanity has done many a time. The Church's role has been that of a prophet, warning us that just because we can do something, does not mean we should.

References

1. Church of Scotland webpage. http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/srtscot//srtpage3.shtml

2. American Bioethics Advisory Commission. http://www.all.org/abac/clontx06.htm

3. Dangers of Genetic Manipulation. Address by Pope John Paul II to members of

the World Medical Association. October 29, 1983. http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/papal/jp.ii/genmanip.asc

4. Sophie Boukhai. Religion, genetics and the embryo. UNESCO Courier, Sept 1999.

5. Armstrong, Bruce G. Scientific, Ethical and Biblical Considerations of Genetic

Engineering. Central Highlands Christian Publications. 1999.

6. Epstein, Ron. Ethical and Spiritual Issues in Genetic Engineering. Ahimsa Voices:

a Quarterly Journal for the Promotion of Universal Values. 5. Oct. 1998.

7. Church blocks GM trial. BBC News Online: UK. August 4, 1999.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/uk/newsid_411000/411509.stm

8. Genetically Modified Organisms. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/view/gmos.rtf

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