Genetic EngineeringGenetic Engineering

Ray Bohlin, Ph.D.Ray Bohlin, Ph.D.

Probe MinistriesProbe Ministries

rbohlin@probe.orgrbohlin@probe.org

www.probe.orgwww.probe.org

Biblical PrinciplesBiblical Principles

• Genesis 1:26-28Genesis 1:26-28• Created in God’s ImageCreated in God’s Image• Therefore we are distinct from the Therefore we are distinct from the

animalsanimals• We are fallen creatures.We are fallen creatures.• Our imperfections are used by God.Our imperfections are used by God.• Exhortation to be fruitful and multiplyExhortation to be fruitful and multiply

Naturalistic/Evolutionary Naturalistic/Evolutionary PrinciplesPrinciples

• An organism’s sole purpose is to survive An organism’s sole purpose is to survive and reproduceand reproduce

• We are just another animal speciesWe are just another animal species• We are defined by our genes and how We are defined by our genes and how

they interact with the environment.they interact with the environment.• The species persists through time.The species persists through time.• We are just a vehicle for the We are just a vehicle for the

reproduction of DNA.reproduction of DNA.

What is a Gene?What is a Gene?

• The gene is the basic unit of heredity. The gene is the basic unit of heredity. Genes determine our hair, eye and skin Genes determine our hair, eye and skin color.color.

• A gene is a stretch of DNA which codes A gene is a stretch of DNA which codes for a specific protein.for a specific protein.

• Proteins perform, regulate, or influence Proteins perform, regulate, or influence all our bodily functions.all our bodily functions.

What is the Human What is the Human Genome Project?Genome Project?

• An organism’s genome consists of An organism’s genome consists of all its genes.all its genes.

• The Human Genome Project is a The Human Genome Project is a multinational research project to multinational research project to determine the sequence of all 3 x determine the sequence of all 3 x 101099 base pairs and hence all human base pairs and hence all human genes.genes.

What is genetic What is genetic engineering?engineering?

• GE is defined as the manipulation or GE is defined as the manipulation or alteration of the genetic structure of a alteration of the genetic structure of a single cell or organism.single cell or organism.

• This refers to the deliberate addition, This refers to the deliberate addition, deletion, or intentional mutation of an deletion, or intentional mutation of an organism’s DNA sequence to produce a organism’s DNA sequence to produce a desired result.desired result.

What is genetic What is genetic engineering?engineering?

• More commonly it involves the More commonly it involves the transfer of a gene from one transfer of a gene from one organism to another.organism to another.

• This is neither good nor evil, the This is neither good nor evil, the nature of the experiments nature of the experiments themselves will determine the themselves will determine the moral content.moral content.

Are we playing God?Are we playing God?

• Difficult phrase to understand.Difficult phrase to understand.• Some are simply expressing awe Some are simply expressing awe

and wonder at our power.and wonder at our power.• For some it means taking over For some it means taking over

“God Only” activity.“God Only” activity.• Often used to express fear and Often used to express fear and

ignoranceignorance

Are we playing God?Are we playing God?

• Being good stewards of God’s Being good stewards of God’s creation requires knowledge of His creation requires knowledge of His creation.creation.

• Part of being created in God’s Part of being created in God’s image is our creativity.image is our creativity.

• In this sense we “Play God” by In this sense we “Play God” by imitating Him.imitating Him.

Is it wrong to combine genes Is it wrong to combine genes from different species?from different species?

• One gene does not define a One gene does not define a species. DNA is not alive.species. DNA is not alive.

• We have created many “new” We have created many “new” creatures by selective breeding creatures by selective breeding and artificial selection such as and artificial selection such as dogs, cattle, mules, wheat and dogs, cattle, mules, wheat and corn.corn.

Is it wrong to combine genes Is it wrong to combine genes from different species?from different species?

• What is different with GE is the What is different with GE is the precision with which the changes precision with which the changes can be made. But the change is can be made. But the change is also more limited.also more limited.

• Creating crops that are naturally Creating crops that are naturally and safely resistant to disease and and safely resistant to disease and pests is a worthy goal.pests is a worthy goal.

• One case at a time.One case at a time.

Is it wrong to combine genes Is it wrong to combine genes from different species?from different species?

• However, intentionally However, intentionally manipulating genes to produce a manipulating genes to produce a new and more virulent bacterium new and more virulent bacterium or virus is a hideous evil.or virus is a hideous evil.

• Proper tests must be carried out Proper tests must be carried out before using genetically before using genetically engineered organisms.engineered organisms.

Is it wrong to place human Is it wrong to place human genes in an animal?genes in an animal?

• Once again, one gene does not a human Once again, one gene does not a human make. A gene is a molecule of DNA.make. A gene is a molecule of DNA.

• Transgenic pigs have been made to Transgenic pigs have been made to produce human Factor VIII, a blood-produce human Factor VIII, a blood-clotting agent needed by hemophiliacs.clotting agent needed by hemophiliacs.

• But human/chimp transgenic organisms But human/chimp transgenic organisms designed to begin deciphering the designed to begin deciphering the difference between humans and chimps difference between humans and chimps is a different story.is a different story.

Is it OK to use animals to Is it OK to use animals to produce human organs?produce human organs?

• In Genesis 3:21 the Lord used animals In Genesis 3:21 the Lord used animals skins to make clothes for Adam and Eve.skins to make clothes for Adam and Eve.

• In Gen. 9:3 He gave permission to use In Gen. 9:3 He gave permission to use animals for food.animals for food.

• We’ve used spleens of pigs for insulin for We’ve used spleens of pigs for insulin for diabetics.diabetics.

• Seems no difference in using animals for Seems no difference in using animals for organs.organs.

Should GE be used for curing Should GE be used for curing genetic diseases?genetic diseases?

• Curing genetic diseases should be Curing genetic diseases should be approached cautiously.approached cautiously.

• The Church has traditionally been about the The Church has traditionally been about the business of healing.business of healing.

• At first, only lethal conditions should be At first, only lethal conditions should be researched for complications.researched for complications.

• Must approach with humility and sensitivity Must approach with humility and sensitivity towards those already affected by these towards those already affected by these diseases.diseases.

• We will always have some imperfections, but We will always have some imperfections, but . . . .. . . .

Could GE produce a Could GE produce a dangerous superbug?dangerous superbug?

• In the early 70s molecular In the early 70s molecular biologists imposed a moratorium biologists imposed a moratorium and guidelines to guide GE.and guidelines to guide GE.

• Fears of unexpected consequences Fears of unexpected consequences proved groundless.proved groundless.

• A superbug could be produced A superbug could be produced intentionally.intentionally.

What about producing What about producing superhumans or subhumans?superhumans or subhumans?

• The knowledge and techniques are The knowledge and techniques are lacking.lacking.

• The genetic factors surrounding athletic The genetic factors surrounding athletic ability, intelligence, appearance, and ability, intelligence, appearance, and personality are still a mystery.personality are still a mystery.

• But what about 50-100 years from now?But what about 50-100 years from now?• The importance of worldview!The importance of worldview!• Wilson and sociobiology.Wilson and sociobiology.

Should I be able to determine Should I be able to determine the sex of my child?the sex of my child?

• Not a simple yes or no answer.Not a simple yes or no answer.• If the determination is made after If the determination is made after

fertilization, a negative result is only fertilization, a negative result is only rectified by abortion.rectified by abortion.

• But we can separate “y” sperm from “x” But we can separate “y” sperm from “x” sperm.sperm.

• Not much wrong , but little good about Not much wrong , but little good about it, even if preventing a sex-linked it, even if preventing a sex-linked disease.disease.

Is it ever OK to engineer Is it ever OK to engineer desired traits?desired traits?

• Public opinion is currently against this Public opinion is currently against this procedure.procedure.

• We live in a culture where personal We live in a culture where personal choice is idolized.choice is idolized.

• We allow facelifts and tummy tucks We allow facelifts and tummy tucks don’t we?don’t we?

• Trying to limit GE to curing disease is Trying to limit GE to curing disease is not as easy as it sounds.not as easy as it sounds.

Is it ever OK to engineer Is it ever OK to engineer desired traits?desired traits?

• There will be hard cases and choices.There will be hard cases and choices.• GATTACAGATTACA• A single gene in mice allows them to A single gene in mice allows them to

learn faster, remember longer and learn faster, remember longer and possess greater curiosity.possess greater curiosity.

• But this same protein plays a role in the But this same protein plays a role in the consequences of strokes and sensitizes consequences of strokes and sensitizes the brain to heroin and cocaine.the brain to heroin and cocaine.

Do we have the right to change our Do we have the right to change our genetic make-up in any way?genetic make-up in any way?

• Our physical bodies do not define the Our physical bodies do not define the image of God.image of God.

• Correcting a genetic mutation does not Correcting a genetic mutation does not alter God’s image.alter God’s image.

• However, transfer of sets of genes However, transfer of sets of genes designed to alter our physical, designed to alter our physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual emotional, intellectual, and spiritual capacities are another story.capacities are another story.

We Can No Longer Afford to Be We Can No Longer Afford to Be Ignorant of Genetic TechnologiesIgnorant of Genetic Technologies

• While within Christian worldview we are While within Christian worldview we are compelled to alleviate and relieve compelled to alleviate and relieve suffering, we must do so with humility.suffering, we must do so with humility.

• The effects of the Fall cannot be The effects of the Fall cannot be completely reversed.completely reversed.

• Solving one problem often creates Solving one problem often creates another.another.

• Those still suffering from genetic Those still suffering from genetic diseases cannot be made to feel less diseases cannot be made to feel less than human.than human.