Bible Question:
As I have said previously, I'm not a specialist on the theory of evolution. Yet, I believe that for whatever utility it may have in modelling the variations within a species, e.g. through the process of natural selection, the theory has been extrapolated way beyond what the biological evidence supports. This theory attempts to explain a narrowly defined set of observations and cannot be reasonably generalized to the whole of Creation. Perhaps more important, biotechnology, i.e. genetic engineering, is creating far more urgent challenges to our ethics and morality. For example: 1. Is a clone of a human really a person? This demands that we clarify how we define a person, and many will look to the Word for this. Some may say that because clones are not conceived in the traditional way, i.e. sperm/egg, they are not human because that experience is a fundamental part of what makes us human, and the content of our DNA is only part of being human. 2. Do clones have rights or can they be considered property, perhaps to be used for spare organs that won't be rejected by the "original" person? What does the Bible say about using clones in this way, or for that matter, organs that have been grown from donor DNA artificially, but not taken from a cloned human? 3. Fetal stem cell research, a major area of development, requires the removal of cells from a zygote such that it "dies". I use quotes here because some people debate whether or not such are "alive". Is it wrong for people to harvest stem cells in this way, even if those cells were artificially produced in a dish by injecting sperm DNA into an ovum? If we believe the Word speaks to these issues, and I believe God has very definite opinions about how we manipulate life, the time has come for us to give account for the faith that we have on this kind of question. Failure to do so will inspire many to mock the Bible as out-dated, obsolete and inadequate to address the issues of modern technology. On the other hand, if it can be shown that Word offers clear guidance, that might bring many people to faith, but again, only if it convicts them of their sin. Parable |
Bible Answer: Send in the clones? There was a time when we could take the line from the song that said, "Well, maybe next year." Now it is upon us and we are virtually on the brink of saying, "Don't bother, they're here." Parable, the questions you pose are grave questions indeed and as I see it mankind is not remotely prepared at this time to answer any of them. Genetic engineering is, as you say, creating urgent challenges, challenges that have the potential to affect our lives far beyond anything that Darwin's theory has ever been able to do. But God is in control even now, just as He has always been. This is not to say that hard times may not be ahead for the Christian believer, but hard times have always been the norm for God's people. We cannot predict the future with any real degree of precision. Human cloning, I submit, looks as if it may be a certainty at some time in the future. On the other hand, it may not be. There are any number of things that could prevent it, among which -- I do not rule this out -- is divine intervention. I have lived more than six decades on this planet and have learned a little. I've learned to trust the sovereign God for one thing. And for another, born of this trust, not to worry much, especially about things over which I have no control. The unfolding of future events is surely something I can't even predict with any certainty and much less exert any control over. Bring in the clones? Perhaps so. But God will prevail and His word endure. --Hank |