Christian Responses to Genetic Engineering

Question 1

Why do Christians need to respond to genetic engineering?

Answer 1

• Science and tech pose ethical questions that cannot be easily answered. Christianity has a role in assessing the morality of scientific developments that could cause harm.
• Just because something can be done, doesn’t mean it should be done in terms of scientific progress or development. Christianity gives general moral systems although these need to be applied through reason to issues in modern science.
• ‘While Christians can make personal decisions based on their faith, they can only extend ethical decisions to justify them using reason.’- Dame Mary Woodcock, claiming religious beliefs on society-wide ethical issues must be paired with reason.
• Other Christians point to science and reason as God given abilities. Respect for life should lead Christians to use that ability to the greatest extent possible to preserve life. God would not have given humans the ability to engage in genetic engineering if he didn’t want them to use it.

Question 2

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 2

• Genetic engineering aims to engineer a unique set of genes in humans, animals and plants. To do that, genes can be exchanged between different species.
• Genetic engineering works by using enzymes to extract pieces of DNA and inserting the DNA into a gap in the DNA of another organism.

1. Human genetic engineering
   - Human genome project is an attempt to map out all human chromosomes.

BENEFIT: Would give us the ability to isolate genes responsible for genetic diseases like Alzheimer’s.
RISK: Having such knowledge requires great responsibility because genetic engineering has the potential to change humans and plant and animal genes, which can be transferred within species.

2. Genetic Modification of humans, animals and plants
   - Genetically modified crops are resistant to disease and insect attacks.
   - Humans produce bacteria that make insulin quickly for diabetics.

What is the potential for GE?
- To treat conditions like Alzheimer’s and cystic fibrosis.
- To engineer children to have certain improved characteristics, such as as intelligence and appearance.
- This may lead to the production of ‘transhumans’, engineered humans who have advanced physical, mental and physical powers.