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"We face a particular challenge from new developments in biotechnology. We are aided greatly in the engineering of more productive agricultural goods, but reliance on such technologies must not replace, e.g., the wisdom of crop rotation and wise land use derived from centuries of experience in local contexts. The alleviation of much physical suffering that will derive from genome research is a promise for much joy. But our joy should be tempered with such a Christian respect for God's creation that we not pretentiously 'play God.' Still, we are encouraged to assume our vocations as God's co-laborers for the increase of life in its goodness and fullness. We need to ask continually whether biotechnology promotes life in community and whether it closes the gap between rich and poor. Does the use of biotechnology lead to the praise of God? Is it at the service of our witness to the Giver of life? The LWF can aid its member churches by supplying information regarding the state of biotechnology and its consequences, particularly where it negatively affects life and culture."
"We commit ourselves to call upon the member churches: to dialogue with other churches, people of other faiths, the scientific community, and environmental groups about local priorities for environmental action; to work towards the implementation of Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit for sustainable development in our local context; to investigate bioethical issues and to offer pastoral care and counseling on bioethical problems."
In it's 1998 convention, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of the United States, "rejected without reservation as contrary to God's Word any technique or method of human cloning that results in the destruction of human embryos or the creation of human embryos for the purposes of fetal tissue research or organ harvesting or transplantation." The convention recommended that the church's theological commission explore the area of ethics in cloning and related areas.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Division for Church in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will hold a one-time consultation on human cloning and related issues, October 13-15, 2000. This event is intended to provide members of this church an opportunity to address from a faith-based viewpoint the challenges presented by current and anticipated technological developments. The objective is to catalyze thinking, to produce an educational resource, and to stimulate deliberation within the church. Our hope is to help better educate and prepare ELCA members and the church as a whole to meet both the personal questions that will arise and the need for public deliberations on these issues.
The weekend consultation will center around the sharing of six primary papers on various aspects of cloning followed by responses (written and verbal) to them. The primary writers are listed below and weekend participants will include both specialists and interested non-specialists representing a cross section of the church. The proceedings will be published by the Division for Church in Society in printed and electronic format for use in a variety of settings.
Topics to be covered:
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