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Resolution on Beginning-of-Life Issues in Biological Technologies
PORTLAND, OR (June 13, 2003) - CHICAGO, IL (June 12) – The full text of the proposed resolution
follows, listed as item number 30.b.2 on the Annual Meeting agenda:
Biblical Basis
Scripture teaches that human life is precious. Human beings are created
in the image of God and have been given life by the Spirit (breath) of
God (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7). As with creation, so Christ's incarnation
– when God became human – gives dignity to human, bodily life (Psalm
8:4-5) from its beginning. Even before birth, human life is a mystery
precious in God's sight (Psalm 139:13-16). It is not to be objectified
or treated as a commodity or as a means to an end. When asked, "Who is
my neighbor?" Jesus refused to place a boundary on the expression of our
concern (Luke 10:29-37). We have no right to judge the lives of others
as less precious than our own (Luke 10:27).
At both the beginning and the end of life, we belong to God (Deuteronomy
32:39; Psalm 139; Romans 14:7-8). It is in him that we live and move and
have our being (Acts 17:28). We are his offspring through both natural
and new birth (1 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, through baptism, we are
members of Christ's body. Therefore, we are not our own (1 Corinthians
6:20; 7:23). Accordingly, the language of autonomy as self-ownership,
often used in discussion of biological technology, is misguided and
dangerous (Genesis 3:5) to describe any individual's dignity. Biblical
faith understands autonomy as freedom in a context of accountability,
flowing from our relationships with God and others. It thus resists any
drift toward unlimited autonomy.
Scripture has much to say about procreation. The center of biblical
teaching on procreation is that a man and a woman, joined in the union
of marriage – a relationship of mutual interdependence and commitment –
cooperate to bring a child into the world (Matthew 19:5-6). Technology
presents us with a variety of possibilities, some of which serve that
vision and some of which distort it. Our task as Christians – and
sometimes it is a difficult one – is to ask whether technology is being
used in ways that honor, or depart from, the spirit of biblical teaching.
Scripture affirms that joy and fulfillment, as well as suffering and
disappointment, have legitimate roles to play in God's care for his
people (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 42; Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter
1:6-7). We express our great gratitude to physicians, researchers, and
other medical professionals who commit themselves to the healing arts
and the alleviation of human suffering. The alleviation of suffering is
good. Bringing children into the world is good. Scientific knowledge is
good. None of these goals, however, is to be pursued at the cost of
setting aside the value that God accords to human beings.
Declaration
Scientists are developing, at a breathtaking pace, biological
technologies having to do with the beginnings of human life. These
include, but are not limited to, assisted reproduction technologies
(ARTs), stem cell research, genetic engineering, and human cloning. We
strongly encourage deep discussion of the complexities that flow from
the development of these technologies. While such discussion is beyond
our scope and purpose here, we do aim to call Covenanters to action by
bringing a perspective of biblical faith to bear on these issues,
looking toward living as the people we understand God has called us to be.
Biological technologies pose moral and spiritual issues for which God's
people will need information, insight, and guidance. For all the great
promise these technological tools may hold, we believe they need be
regarded with caution. It is easy to find ourselves doing something
simply because we can, being attracted by the apparent benefits of a
technology without understanding the implications of the decisions we
make. Instead, we hope our people and churches will approach God's
gifts of the body and of life with reverence, humility, gratitude, and
respect.
We affirm the wide range of biological research that is consonant with
the biblical perspective outlined above. We encourage ethically
appropriate research efforts which pursue the worthy goals of protecting
health and relieving suffering, while honoring God as the Author of life
and recognizing that all human lives are precious and unique in God's sight.
Response
1. We call Covenant people and congregations to cultivate an ongoing
awareness of biological technologies, in the light of Scripture,
diligent study and dialogue, and with prayerful discernment.
2. We encourage Covenanters to support legislation and regulations that
protect the health and dignity of all human research subjects, including
the earliest stages of human life. We, therefore, oppose the research or
therapeutic use of human embryos, or cell lines derived from the
destruction of human embryos. We strongly encourage biomedical research
(such as that involving adult stem cells for therapeutic use) that does
not result in destruction of human life.
3. We call Covenanters to extend compassion and loving care to
individuals and families with health or infertility problems, and to
promote counseling in the light of Scripture and prayerful discernment.
We are mindful of the anguish that many persons undergo as they endeavor
to make decisions that are consistent with their faith.
4. We urge Covenanters to remember the sanctity and mystery of the
marriage union, and the dignity and worth of human life as God's gift.
5. We call on Covenanters as well as Covenant institutions and their
boards to screen their financial investments and participation in
biotechnology according to the moral meaning and impact those
technologies have.
6. We encourage Christian Action Commissions in the future to revisit
these challenging questions as further ethical and spiritual concerns
arise with the ongoing development of biological technologies. We ask
them to consider producing materials that may be studied and discussed
at several levels of congregational life. We further encourage North
Park Theological Seminary, Swedish Covenant Hospital, and Emanuel
Medical Center to continue grappling with these issues so that
graduating pastors and healthcare professionals can assist in the
education of those they serve.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
