Category Archives: Genes and the Future

God, persons and bio-machines

By Brian Edgar | Published: May 21, 2010

By Brian Edgar

Humanity has a built in desire to initiate, build and create, and the newer biological sciences revolving around biology, genetics and nanotechnology means that technological tools are emerging which can mean nothing less than the re-creation of the human person. A symbiotic relationship between humanity and machinery already exists and there is now a debate between trans-humanists who are looking towards a shift in human nature, perhaps moving towards a post-human condition and bio-conservatives who see trans-human initiatives as nothing other than de-humanising.  Read More »

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Immortality? genetics and living forever

By Brian Edgar | Published: February 27, 2010

By Brian Edgar

Although medical technology is constantly finding new ways of dealing with various health disorder, maintain general levels of health and delaying death the typical maximum age span has not really changed in a long time. Everyone dies of something, and although good health in old age has significantly improved,  a cure for one disorder simply means that people die of something else. However, it is likely that in the not-too-distant future that we will be presented with the prospect of medical technology which will enable human life to be radically extended by hundreds of years! Read More »

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Theology and genetic engineering

By Brian Edgar | Published: February 24, 2010

By Brian Edgar

The new and rapidly developing rDNA technology which lies at the heart of modern human genetic engineering has provided a new foundation for the science of eugenics which, as a consequence, is now more to the forefront of scientific research and public attention than at any time since it fell into disrepute in the 1940′s. The possibilities inherent in human genetic engineering (GE) now available appear as both amazing and terrifying. On the one hand there is the hope that thousands of inherited defects and illnesses, simple and complex, will be completely eliminated. On the other hand, there are suggestions of the creation of an animal-human hybrid,  a domesticated slave class, or a part human species. Read More »

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The ethics of trans-kingdom gene transfer

By Brian Edgar | Published: February 21, 2010

Is it ethically appropriate to transfer genes from one person to another? Or from one species to another? From humans to animals? From a vegetable to a fish? Does it make any difference how closely related the species are? In the natural world there is a limitation of the transfer of genes – which occurs through sexual reproduction -  to those species which can breed, but in the artificial world of genetic engineering there is no such limitation. Genes from very different species and kingdoms can be mixed.  Read More »

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Ethical principles in gene technology

By Brian Edgar | Published: February 18, 2010

In an area dealing with new and previously unconsidered ethical problems – like gene technology – it is important to establish an ethical  framework which can provide some guidance when dealing with specific issues (such as the appropriateness of genetically modifying crops, animals or people). The National Framework for the Development of Ethical Principles in Gene Technology,   produced by the Gene Technology Ethics Committee, (Commonwealth of Australia: Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, 2006) is one attempt to do this.  I acted as one of a group of twelve to produce this national ethical standard for gene technology. Read More »

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Cloning and the Trinity

By Brian Edgar | Published: February 5, 2010

By Brian Edgar

Like many of the issues related to reproductive technology and genetic engineering cloning has been seen as more than just another scientific discovery and has widely been recognised as having profound ethical implications. Unlike many of these issues, however, the spiritual dimension of cloning has also been recognised. “Any discovery that touches upon human creation is not simply a matter of scientific inquiry, it is a matter of morality and spirituality as well… Each human life is unique, born of a miracle that reaches beyond laboratory science…” Read More »

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