2. Give arguments that religious believers from two traditions might give for and against genetic engineering.
The phrase genetic engineering refers to the artificial manipulation, modification and recombination of the natural world in a way that is perceived to be beneficial to human beings. It encompasses scientific methods such as cloning, embryology and human genetic engineering. Each of these are surrounded by ethical issues, and traditions hold different views for each of these. The Roman Catholic view varies from pro to con with each different aspect of genetic engineering. They wholly support the usage of blood transfusions as well as organ transplants. This is because the Roman Catholic faith places great emphasis upon the sanctity of life, and by prolonging ones life, one is upholding the values of the gift of life – its sacredness and gift from God. However, when concerning Embryology and Cloning, the story is very different. One of the fundamental conditions of the two mentioned is that during experimentation, the embryo is terminated in the process. To Roman Catholics, at the very ‘spark’ of conception, the cells become a human and that by terminating the foetus, you are in effect murdering a human, one of the gravest sins. The termination of the foetus in Roman Catholicism is considered ‘gravely contrary to natural law’. Natural law is the concept thought up by medieval philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas. He argues that each thing has a purpose and natural end. The purpose of pregnancy is to have a child, and the natural end of pregnancy is the birth of a child. When the end is not achieved, then this is believed to be against the will of God, and therefore errant. A major source of authority in Roman Catholicism, the Vatican, states that it ‘supports and urges a worldwide comprehensive ban on human embryonic cloning for both reproductive and scientific purposes’. As you can see, the absolute view on the topic is due to the termination of unborn embryos. The Roman Catechism strictly states that ‘human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception’. They also argue against Human Genetic Engineering because they believe that it leads of man usurping God as the almighty creator and designer of life. They believe that no longer will a child be considered a blessing from God, but rather, a product manufactured by a scientist. The Roman Catholics argue that nothing is more important than the preservation of human life, and are therefore completely against genetic engineering.
Conversely, followers from the Raelian Faith have a vastly different perspective on genetic engineering. The origins of the faith reveal where they get their unique perspectives from. They believe that life on Earth was created scientifically, through DNA and genetic engineering, by a human extraterrestrial race. This ties in with their belief that all forms of genetic engineering, such as cloning and embryology, is not only accepted but readily encouraged. They believe that by performing all the experiments that the ‘founding aliens’ performed, they will bring themselves closer to them, as well as advancing the human race exponentially. The raelians believe that ‘Cloning will enable mankind to reach eternal life’. From this we can see that, in the perspective of the Raelians, genetic engineering is a necessity if we humans are ever to progress scientifically, as well as if we are to fulfil our destiny and follow the footsteps of the ‘Elohim’.
3. ‘It is not for us to play God. Humans have no right to interfere with the natural development of an embryo’.
How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious teachings in your answer.
I thoroughly disagree with this statement. This is because I do not consider embryonic manipulation to be playing God, but rather an act with the best interests of human kind as a general. Human history is riddled with examples of religion standing in the way of progress, such as Galileo Galilee being silenced by the Church for stating that the universe was heliocentric. But the outcomes have always been beneficial. The major concern for religions when regarding this topic is whether the termination of embryos is considered to be murder or not. Although there are many different views, I believe that an embryo only becomes a human once it has been born. This is supported by the biblical quote which states ‘and then in Adam God breathed the breath of life, and Adam became man, a living soul’. If scientists were allowed to interfere with the embryo, they would screen illnesses and abnormalities, thus giving the prospective parents much more choices. The very definition of genetic engineering is the modification, manipulation and recombination of the natural world in a way that is perceived to be beneficial to human kind. If scientists improve the way of life for humans, then this is surely no bad thing. Even though lives may be lost, it is in aid of preserving other lives. The ends will justify the means.
However, the arguments that support this statement are also very convincing. Whether the embryo is truly human or not is truly debateable. If the embryo is human, then the termination of the embryo is no less than murder, and murder is seen in Roman Catholicism to be ‘gravely contrary to the natural law’. Many argue that by altering the very essence of nature, man will soon no longer have no need for God. Many fear that forgetting of the existence of God is the worst possible thing that humanity can do. A defining characteristic of Roman Catholicism, as well as Islam, is that God/Allah has intents and purposes for everything. If they intended for cancer to exist, and for a child to be born disabled, then that is their plan. For Muslims, to go against Allah’s will is to defy Allah.
To conclude, I would have to say that the fundamental issue is whether the embryo is considered to be a human or not. And if it is a human, is it worth sacrificing the embryo for the sake of helping others. I believe that it is worth the sacrifice, as the number of human lives lost will pale in comparison to the number of human lives saved due to research into genetic engineering.