Q&A Home > G > Genetic Engineering

1. What is the church's view regarding Somatic gene therapy?




2. Germ line genetic engineering for the sake of preventing some genetic problems, such as down syndrome, and other medical purposes. What would the church's stand be towards its use, if the success rate of the procedure was 100% without cloning, to stop serious diseases as well as mild conditions, such
   as nearsightedness, skin sensitivity, cholesterol, etc.?




3. What is the church's stand towards Germline Engineering that uses cloning to cure patients from serious diseases as well as mild conditions?




4. Germ line Engineering could be used to give the subject, or patient certain abilities outside of its normal species' capabilities. What is the church's stand towards this use of germline enginering on animals (indeed, it is already happening with monkeys, rats, flies, and all sorts of other creatures)?




5. In China, geneticists have found a way to guarantee a child being 100% a boy without altering with his genetic make up. Would it be considered a sin if the parents went through this procedure to make sure they get a boy this time?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

With all of your questions related to genetics, fetal sex selection, and human characteristics selection, there is only one basic premise upon which to respond, and that is the Coptic Church supports only those genetically engineered, medically-necessitated procedures which are directed toward health promotion with the attainable goal of healing. Further, this healing must encompass a known genetic chromosomal complication which leads to a particular disease that is evidence- based and documented; in which the risks or side-effects do not outweigh the goal of healing or the maladies presented by the disease itself.  

Genetic engineering should not threaten or complicate what God Himself has given life to. It should not compromise God's work of creation including inherent anatomy. There exists a sacredness of life throughout the Holy Bible:

"...She had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:25).

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

As Christians we must also realize that the summit of God's creation was man. "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them, both male and female" (Genesis 1:28) and it goes even further to emphasize..."And God saw every thing He had made and behold it was very good..." (Genesis 1:31).

Genetic "therapy" for such diseases as multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, Huntington's chorea, and many hemoglobin diseases is therapeutic; in other words it decreases man's suffering, is a treatment, a cure, or an extension of medical treatment.  

Genetic engineering should not be for perfection of vain glory (physical vain glory, athletic endowment, or replicating the human race). Germ line engineering is stripping off the human-ness or individualism of a person making him a copy of another. If God had desired factory humans, He would have set up factories at creation. Hitler believed in the perfectionist, superior human race; and by doing so destroyed everything in his path, including himself.

Decidedly, the Coptic Church does not endorse human geneticism if not therapeutically utilized as an extension of medically necessary treatment. Even during the Old Testament days, it was plainly evident that the Lord was the Lord of life and death, "The Lord killeth and maketh alive, He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up" (I Samuel 2:6).

Even Job the Prophet, without a degree in genetics, understood that the breath of all mankind belonged to the Lord, "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).

Are we seeking perfection of our humanity or our souls? Which should be man's focus –perfection of his short lived life on earth only to be buried with his perfection turning to dust; or perfection of soul which will gain him eternity? The latter explains why the Holy Bible figures remained focused on the importance of their soul and the preservation of their spirit.

Let us all remember Who created us from dust and can bring us unto dust again, pray for those in need who seek cures from illnesses and diseases, and ask for God's help in knowing that only He "doeth truly wondrous things" (Psalm 72:18).