The American Heritage Dictionary defines Genetics as "The branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms." Current genetics involves such controversial "bioethical" issues and practices as human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, genetic disorder pre-screening, and gene therapy.
Science and religion have long intermingled on issues of ethical practice, especially where geneticists venture into God's territory by "tampering" with the basic make-up of the human body. From a theological standpoint, many contend that it is not just the human body that is concerned but also the soul. Do the embryos that are created and discarded for harvesting embryonic stem cells have souls? And if they do, is their destruction then a matter of murder?
The resources on on this blog are meant to provide direction for those researching these areas, both general and specific, in which genetics and religion meet on the field of ethics.
Reference:
genetics. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/genetics
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