CHICAGO (ELCA) -- MOSAIC, the video magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), examines a variety of scientific and ethical issues related to genetic study and engineering in its spring 2001 issue. Featured in the program are experts in genetics, theologians and other ELCA members.
The spring issue became available March 1. Three segments in the program each examine the issues in different ways:
+ "The New World of Genetics and You" features a visit to a genetics laboratory. The segment provides a "short course" on genetics and discussion of some issues involved in genetic study and engineering. A Lutheran theologian, the Rev. Theodore F. Peters, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Eric M. Riesen, Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh (Brentwood, Pa.), are featured in this segment.
+ "Testing and Screening: The Genetics Oracle" brings together a medical geneticist, Dr. Robert Lebel, Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and genetic counselor Elizabeth Gettig, University of Pittsburgh. The segment also includes stories of two women who chose to be tested for genetic abnormalities.
+ "Who Controls Your Genetic Secrets?" features a number of experts, including some in the health insurance industry such as Dr. Allan T. Bombard, Women's Health Medical Director, Aetna Inc. The experts address subjects such as potential loss of confidentiality and health care discrimination.
MOSAIC is produced and distributed by the ELCA Department for Communication. It is intended for educational use in a variety of congregational settings including Sunday School classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups, new member classes, church council meetings, committee meetings and other organizational meetings.
Each issue includes a user's guide, with a synopsis of each segment and discussion questions. MOSAIC is issued quarterly. Annual subscriptions are available through the ELCA Department for Communication. -- -- --
Specific information about MOSAIC subscriptions and the contents of each issue are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.elca.org/co/mosaic or by contacting the ELCA Department for Communication by phone at 800/628-3522 ext. 6009. Digital photographs that accompany each story can be requested by e-mail to mosaic@elca.org or by phone.
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
