Short, Sweet, and Specific: Journal Articles

Journals are the perfect source for the most current information on both controversies and genetic advances and events. Most are also specific in their focus, so are best used when digging deeper into a certain topic.

From Nature Journals Online:

De Coppi, P., Bartsch, G., Siddiqui, M. M., Xu, T., Santos, C. C., Perin, L., & et. al. (2007). Isolation of amniotic stem cell lines with potential for therapy. Nature Biotechnology 25(1), 100 - 106. Retrieved April 24, 2007, from Nature Journals Online database (10.1038/nbt1274).

--While this article is not about religious ethics and genetic in and of itself, the findings presented here may very well have a radical effect on how cloning and embryonic stem cells are discused in the future. These researchers have found that the multiple stem cell types (dirived from the deveolping fetus) found in amniotic fluid (part of the after-birth) are in fact "diverse differentiated cells including those of adipose, muscle, bone and neuronal" tissues. This is the same type of flexibility that is desirable in embryonic stem cells but without the ethical issues since amniotic fluid is a product of natural pregnancies.

An interview from with one of the researchers can also be view at:

Amniotic fluid yields new type of stem cell (January 8, 2007). PBS: The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Retrieved April 24, 2007, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june07/cell_01-08.html

From Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center:

National Bioethics Advisory Commission (2001). Religion offers guidance on human cloning. The Ethics of Human Cloning: At Issue Series. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (EJ3010028213).

--The article is an excerpt from a 1997 government report on human cloning by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission that details various religious/theological perspectives and historical precedents on genetic ethics as pertain to human cloning (perspective is mainly Judeo-Christian). Article has an extensive list for further reading including books and other articles.

Lindsay, R. A. (2001). Religious Arguments Have No Place in the Debate over Human Cloning. The Ethics of Human Cloning: At Issue Series. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (EJ3010028214).

--Argues from a rationalist, secular perspective that there is "no necessary connection between religion and morality" and therefore it need not effect policy on matters such as human cloning.

IngentaConnect:

Modell, S. M. (2007). Genetic and reproductive technologies in the light of religious dialogue. Zygon 42(1), 163-182. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from IngentaConnect database (10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00813.x).

--The article seeks to examine genetic testing, human gene therapy, genetic engineering of plants and animals, and stem cell technology in light of the varying religious theologies held by large groups of people and that therefore should be taken into account when designing related policies. Much of the information is based on the "'Genetic Frontiers' series of professional dialogues and conferences held by the National Conference for Community and Justice from 2002 to 2004."

Hefner, P. (2007). Genetic frontiers: Challenges for humanity and our religious traditions. Zygon 42(1), 183-191. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from IngentaConnect database (10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00814.x).

--Seeks to understanding and explain human nature and values in relation to genetic research by surveying "challenges and the resources that the monotheistic religions can bring to bear in response" and how these religious communities communicate these beliefs to the general public.

From ISI Web of Knowledge--Web of Science:

Al-Ageel, A. I. (2005). Ethical guidelines in genetics and genomics - An Islamic perspective. Saudi Medical Journal, 26(12), 1862-1870. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from ISI Web of Knowledge: Web of Science database.

--Examines Islamic teachings about "health and disease prevention including hereditary and genetic disorders" in the face of the increasing prevalence of genetic birth defects and disorders in countries where Muslims make up a majority of the population.

Going In-Depth: Hitting the Books

General Religious Ethics and Genetics:

Perterson, J. C. (2001). Genetic Turning Points: The Ethics of Human Genetic Intervention. Grand Rapids MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

--Peterson's comprehensive textbook on the current genetic research, practices, and hot button issues is laid out for classwork study and progression, but it serves just as well as a one-stop source for almost any topic concerning religious ethics and genetics. The text provides a keen understanding of both the scientific and the ethical/theological aspects of the issues, supplemented with Christian (both Catholic and Protestant) resources, taking time to layout the history, traditions, and cultures attitudes that sets up the framework for later analysis of specific subjects. The four main units are Genetic Research, Genetic Testing, Genetic Drugs: Adding Gene Products to the Body, and Genetic Surgery: Changing Genes in the Body.

Peters, T. (2002). Playing God?: Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom. (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

--This book sets a theological basis before focusing right in on several areas that have been up for research and debate in recent years and the arguments and how they they tie into core religious belies about the nature of man as God's creation and to what extent man many tamper with what has been genetically "predetermined." Chapters include: Playing God with DNA; The Crime Gene, Stigma, and Original Sin, The So-Called Gay Gene and Scientized Morality; Should We Patent God's Creation?; The Question of Germline Intervention; The Cloning Controversy; The Stem Cell Controversy; and The Theology of Freedom.

Jonsen, A. R., Veatch, R. M., & Walter, L. (Eds.). (2007). Source Book in Bioethics: A Documentary History. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press.

--Here is the book for primary source documentation on the legal policy battles surrounding the following five areas: Research involving human subjects, Death and dying, Human genetics, Human reproductive technology, and Changes in the healthcare system. The book itself is a compilation of original text documentation, including the Rulings on Baby M and Karen Quinlan, the Baby Doe Regulations, and the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. Note: Not a source for general information, explanation, or analysis.

Genetics and Specific Religions:

Childress, J. F. (2001). Christian ethics, medicine and genetics. In Robin Gill (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to Christian ethics (pp. 261-276). New York : Cambridge University Press.

--Childress's article provides an excellent overview article from a leading authority in the field of Christian bioethics. Since a majority of U.S. based literature on religious ethics and genetics, it is helpful to have a good historical and theological basis, such as is given here, to understanding more specific and complicated texts.

Atighetchi, D. (2007). Islamic bioethics : problems and perspectives. New York : Springer.

--Focusing on the effects in Muslim countries of new genetic technologies and practices, such as cloning, organ transplants, and in vitro fertilization, the book compares and contrasts the theological positions of "classic" Muslim law and contemporary religious authorities (based on the the Koran and the Shari’a) on these issues as well as examining reactions through legal statutes and regulations. The cultural reactions, attitudes, and behaviours of Muslims at both the group and individual level is brought into the discussion to give a well rounded view of how Muslim ethics has been applied to emerging genetic and possibly how it will adapt to similar changes in the future.

Mackler, A. L. (2003). Introduction to Jewish and Catholic Bioethics: A Comparative Analysis. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

--A clear and readable analysis of two of the "major moral players" in most genetics controversies. The delineates the issues through each group and explains how the two theological traditions often reach the same conclusions for varying points of reference or in some cases, how they reach different conclusions.

Keown, D. (2006). Buddhism and Bioethics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

--Includes chapters on Embryo Research; Fertility Control; Humans, Animals, and Persons; Embryo Loss and Twinning; and When Does Life Begin? which outline Buddhist theological perspectives and practices.

Specific Topics:

Waters, B., & Cole-Turner, R. (Eds). (2003). God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press.

--This anthology gives voice to Christian and Jewish positions across the denominational spectrum both with original articles by scholars and official statements by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church in America, the United Methodist Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America. These comparisons between positions can help to shed light on the nuances that distinguish the ethical positions of each group. Ronald Cole-Turner has also authored and co-authored several other important work on religion and genetics.

Religious Ethics and Genetics: An Introduction to the Topic

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