Biotechnologys Moral Quandary

Biotechnology's Moral quandary Like many of my generation, I was raised with certain "rules" of etiquette. One that featured prominently in my life was the advice, when in public, abstain from the discussion of politics or religion. Playing it safe has never interested me, thus in this month's commentary I throw caution to the wind and explore the sensitive relationship between Christianity and plant biotechnology. On this divisive topic the basic question that people of faith struggle with is man's moral authority to alter God's creation. In the denominations, that I am familiar with Christian doctrine always teaches an obligation to feed the hungry. The Church of England, The Roman Catholic Church, The United Methodist Church and numerous other evangelical groups have acknowledged that plant biotechnology is a vital component to combat world famine with its ability to improve crop quality, increase yields and create plant-based pharmaceuticals. Given the fact that it is estimated that 60 to 70 percent of packaged foods already contain bioengineered ingredients coupled with the role GMO plays in reducing agricultural chemical dependency, it is not difficult to understand why the Vatican's Pontifical Academy supports the use of plant biotechnology. Faith based groups regard genetic advancements like GE "golden rice", (a new staple that could prevent millions of cases of childhood blindness each year in countries with rice based diets severely lacking sufficient Vitamin A), or virus free sweet potatoes that produce 20 to 40 percent more yield as a blessing and an opportunity for Christian outreach. Citing the fact that world currently has the capacity, (even if distribution problems were solved) to feed only 6.4 billion people, while population is forecasted to reach 8 billion by 2020; the Church of England has called genetically modified food a promising way to increase food production (Church of England 1999) Yet countless other faith-based groups, including the Church of Scotland and the growing Christian environmental movements see the manipulation of genes as attempt to redesign nature and in essence, play God. In their view of environmental biblical stewardship (Ecotheology), nature has intrinsic value by being created, planned and sustained by God while humans serve as stewards over creation rather than controlling or manipulating it. In the words of Randy Alcorn, well-respected Christian author "To study creation is to study the Creator. Science should be a worshipful discovery because the heavens and all creation declare Gods' glory". The bible teaches that God reveals his character in the flowers, animals and planets through their perfect order and detail, substantiation for many Christians to regard gene- splicing as irreverent, given man's limited capabilities and morality in relationship to the Creator. In the Bible God placed man and woman in the middle of a garden he had planted ( not a lush forest or fertile grassland) and left them to work and care for it. Agriculture was there from the beginning and inherent to man, a possible explanation why people derive such joy from gardening today. Tragically, man was removed from that abundant garden and left to farm in far from perfect conditions. Selective breeding of plants and animals has insured survival. Today we still farm in that imperfect world where many see biotechnology as a valuable component in fighting hunger and disease. Ironically, while writing this commentary I received the news that a license to extract stem cells from cloned human embryos has been granted to the scientist that cloned Dolly the sheep. This recent genetic "advancement" throws politics and religion into the battlefield of morality given the issue of whether man can "ethically" handle genetic technology without destroying the integrity of creation. Many of us still straddling the fence will have to choose sides. (I would appreciate your comments at www.foodforethought.org)