CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Human cloning and related ethical issues will be the topics of six primary papers exploring current and anticipated technological developments from a faith-based perspective. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Church in Society sponsors a one-time consultation on human cloning at the Ramada Plaza O'Hare Hotel here Oct. 13-15.
"Some thoughtful observers have suggested, with a bit of wit, that we are entering the 'clone age,'" said the Rev. Roger A. Willer, consultation coordinator and associate for studies in the ELCA Division for Church in Society. "What message does the church have about this unprecedented new technology?" he asked.
"Cloning comes in a variety of forms and several of these are fraught with important moral and theological challenges. This consultation attempts to help the church try and think ahead of the curve on these," he said.
"The U.S. moratorium on cloning human beings is only temporary and rests primarily on the idea that such reproductive cloning is too technologically risky for use on humans at the present time," said Willer. "What happens when the technology would be safe? What will the church be prepared to say at that time?" he asked.
"This consultation is one attempt to prepare the church better for the public debates that are sure to ensue," said Willer. Conversation will hinge on six papers:
+ The Rev. Kevin Fitzgerald, SJ, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, will present "Cloning: A State of the Art Report." Fitzgerald is a bioethicist and research associate in Loyola's department of hematology and oncology.
+ The Rev. Duane H. Larson, president of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, will present "Theological Resources for this Conversation." Larson has pursued dialogue between theologians and natural scientists throughout his career. Wartburg is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.
+ Dr. Hans Tiefel, professor of religion and ethics, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., will present "Procreative Cloning: Moral and Theological Consideration." Tiefel wrote the chapter "Individualism vs. Faith: Ethics in Contrasting Perspective" for the ELCA Division for Church in Society book "Genetic Testing and Screening."
+ Dr. Mark Hanson, executive director, Missoula Demonstration Project, Missoula, Mont., will present "Therapeutic/Research Cloning: Moral and Theological Consideration." Hanson is a research professor at the University of Montana's Practical Ethics Center and has published works on the moral and religious values challenged by gene patenting.
+ Dr. Margaret McLean, director for biotechnology and health care ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif., will present "Cloning and Society: Legal, Economic and Social Issues." McLean serves on the California State Advisory Committee on Human Cloning and holds doctorates in clinical pathology and ethics.
+ The Rev. Philip Hefner, professor of systematic theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will present "Cloning and Animals: Moral and Religious Consideration." Hefner is editor of "Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science" and director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, Chicago.
Specialists in research, business, genetics and theology who represent a cross-section of the ELCA will respond to the presentations verbally and in writing. The ELCA Division for Church in Society is planning to publish the consultation's proceedings in printed and electronic formats. -- -- --
The division maintains a Web page about the consultation at http://www.elca.org/DCS/cloning.consultation.html on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
