People are very concerned about this issue. In the bible it is written “Consider what God has done: who can straighten what he has made crooked?” Because of this some people see genetic engineering as wrong. There is also the potential to place too much power in the hands of scientists, with a possible “Dr Frankenstein” situation arising. The long term effects are unknown, and people worry that something may go wrong, with catastrophic consequences. The benefits would also only be available to the wealthy.
Some Christians are against genetic engineering. Roman Catholics believe that life begins at conception, and therefore embryo research is murder. They also disagree with creating potential life through science rather than sex. Others believe that God has created the genetic make up of each individual and it is not for us to change it. Some Christians believe that life on Earth must not be perfect because Heaven is perfect and it is a sin to try to create heaven on Earth.
Other Christians support genetic engineering. This is because Jesus was a healer, and taught that Christians should do their best to help and heal others. It is written in the bible “heal the sick” and therefore Christians should. Also, they believe that as God’s stewards part of our duty is to improve the quality of life for all and make the world a better place. Liberal Protestants agree with genetic engineering for healing disease but not for creating designer babies. I agree with this view.
Some Muslims disagree with genetic engineering. This is because they believe that the genetic code of an individual is determined by God and only God can alter it. Attempting to is committing the most unforgivable sin (shirk) of trying to act as God. Also, they too believe that life begins at conception and therefore research on embryos is murder, just like abortion.
Other Muslims are in favour of genetic engineering. They believe that as long as it is being done to cure diseases, it is acceptable. The Qur’an and Hadith teach that Muslims should do their best to cure sickness. They believe that as khalifahs humans should use all means available to improve human life. They also think that there is a difference between creating cells and creating life, and therefore creating embryos for research is not shirk or murder. By Law embryos cannot be regarded as potential human lives until they are 14 days old.
It seems that Muslims and Christian views against genetic engineering are quite similar. Both believe that it is interfering in God’s role, and this is wrong. They also think that each embryo is a potential human life and therefore research on them is murder. Both religions also have members who support genetic engineering. They support research into curing diseases but not into the “perfect human”. They also believe that we have a duty to improve life for future generations.
In my opinion religious views should not have an effect on the law. The law should be made on other grounds and religious people should do as they believe, within the law. I agree with genetic engineering in order to cure genetic diseases, but am opposed to research into creating the perfect human. I would not recommend someone to have a designer baby because there are issues such as is the baby going to be treated as a commodity, just an organ donor for a sick sibling. Screening for diseases such as Tay Sachs is a good idea, as it prevents suffering and pain in the future, but choosing a child on eye colour or intelligence is, in my opinion, morally wrong. This may also cause offence to the Jewish religion, for the Holocaust was Hitler’s way of trying to create a perfect race, all blonde haired, blue eyed and not disabled. If we choose our children on the colour of their eyes or their intelligence, are we not guilty of doing as Hitler did?
