The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is preparing a social statement about genetics, Christianity and biotech that will be ready by 2011. Having read some – but certainly not all — of their 68 page booklet “Genetics! Where Do We Stand as Christians“, I’m impressed by the sober tone. Instead of passing dogma down, they’re starting a conversation within their community. That’s usually a good idea.
Depends on the community, I suppose.
I’m enjoying the second chapter on “Theology for the Age of Biological Control.” The ELCA accepts the existence of genetics, presents an excellent primer about the science and there’s no ranting about monkeys or hell or Darwin. These are just people wrestling with the morality of biology within a Christian framework.
While I do not believe in God and therefore — having rejecting their basic premise — cannot share their ethics, I do share their belief that technology cannot be so easily divorced from morality. Science has never existed in a vacuum. The people who tell you that it’s totally amoral are probably making weapons and a good deal of money.
