BBC: Fewer confessions and new sins
By David Willey
BBC News, RomeThe Vatican has brought up to date the traditional seven deadly sins by adding seven modern mortal sins it claims are becoming prevalent in what it calls an era of “unstoppable globalisation”.
Those newly risking eternal punishment include drug pushers, the obscenely wealthy, and scientists who manipulate human genes. So “thou shalt not carry out morally dubious scientific experiments” or “thou shalt not pollute the earth” might one day be added to the Ten Commandments…
Even though our topics don’t directly involve genetic manipulation, this should serve to remind those representing nations closely aligned with the Catholic Church (or similarly orthodox religious organizations) the position some (but not all) religious groups have towards anything involved with genetics.
More posts to come today, so keep updated!
- Bryan
March 11th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Each country and culture is permitted to have their own view on the issues genetic manipulation and bioethics. This has become a large problem. In China, we permit the use of stem cells for the use of research and therapy. While we have been said to have one of the most unrestrictive stem cell policies in the world, we have also seen some of the greatest results from our scientists.
Difference in culture and ideologies pose a great problem when attempted to create international law and regulations on what can and cannot be done in a laboratory. Compromise and commonality will be important when trying to find a solution to these problems. However, what point meets half way between progressive research and medical breakthroughs and cures and condemning the very thought of the manipulation of genes.
For the Catholic countries dealt with in this article, China (with all due respect) suggests a more open minded policy to be implemented. We suggest these countries to separate at some point, the tradition ideas of an established religion, and science.
While, in theory, the Catholic church would still condemn our following proposal, we ask for consideration for the betterment of science…
The following excerpt from an article discusses a possible solution to where science, and the Catholic church could meet half way.
Ethical Stem Cell Technique Confirmed
Cambridge, Mass (CNA)
The new technique, developed by US and Japanese researchers, reprograms skin cells to behave like embryonic stem cells. Four genes, what one researcher calls the “magic four factor,” are inserted into the skin cells to trigger the change. The new stem cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells for short.
Rudolf Jaenisch, a member of the Whitehead Institute, noted in a statement the technique’s potential: “This demonstrates that iPS cells have the same potential for therapy as embryonic stem cells, without the ethical and practical issues raised in creating embryonic stem cells.”
- People’s Republic of China
March 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
South Africa also recognizes the need to find a suitable balance. As a nation characteristic of both a developing and developed nation, South Africa feels that it is important that developing nations are provided the oppurtunity of advancing themselves. Scientific fields are particularly promising for economic advancement. At the same time, South Africa recognizes the religous issues that will face many nations, from the Vatican itself to the United States. However, South Africa feels that dealing with these religious issues should be the mandate of the nation-state and not the international community. The international community should outline, through declarations, the issues that may face it, and the member-state should take those declarations and apply them to their local contexts. In the case of many Catholic-based nations, this would be a suitable solution, while allowing those in favour of stem-cell research to continue researching. For example, South Africa has applied the simple framwork of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights through intricate research ethics committees. UNESCO has clearly shown an ability to insitgate change through non-binding declarations applied in local legislation and will continue to.
-South Africa
March 11th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
One of the things we all have to consider is the rights of religion and sovereignty. Obviously, the United States of America believes in freedom of religion as stated in the 1st Amendment and separation of church and state, however, we do realize that we cannot not impose our ways of though and practice onto other nations.
If we do have bio-ethics boards and international law, the USA would support not only the creation of international standards and review boards but also national ones, so countries can be as strict as they want on their own nations. The international boards and laws are to make sure that countries aren’t affected by mistakes that other countries may commit. We don’t want any disasters to occur and international laws and boards can help make this a reality.
For countries that do choose to follow their religion, we can only make sure that they follow the international standards implemented so that they will not potentially hurt other nations, but we have faith that we will be able to find a way around any problems that may arise.