Modern medicine and "playing God"?

Question

There are ethical issues with stem cell research and cloning. But where do we draw the line with "playing God?"
Engineering babies like in the movie 'Gattaca' could be considered "playing God" by some, but what about modern medicine that prolongs someone's life? Is that playing God as well?
I'm preparing a discussion with my church group on this topic, and I'd like to see what you all think.
Thanks.

Answer 1

If modern medicine played God it wouldn't do anyting

Answer 2

This discussion could get silly real fast. If I step into the street without checking the traffic light first, am I not playing god with at least one life (my own) and possibly more? Any action which has a potential, even merely theoretical, impact on human or other life, could be called "playing god."

And about Nikyy's answer: If she thinks abortion is playing god, does she have the same opinion of in-vitro fertilization? If so, then the current First Lady is guilty and her twin daughters are -- what, exactly?

Answer 3

Well, here's the thing. We play God when making vaccines for illnesses or perform surgery, or do anything that intervenes in the normal birth-life-death process. I don't agree with cloning, but I do agree with stem cell research because it has the possibility to cure illness. I'm of the opinion laws should be put in place to keep us in check regarding cloning. But I'm all for stem cell research because it will help us advance in medical science to cure disease and help end the suffering of thousands. I'm of the opinion that if you are against stem cell research - you're against modern medicine and should not use it. That means no pills, no vaccines, and no medical treatments or surgeries of any kind. That's just my opinion though.

Answer 4

Good Medicine should follow simple modern ethics that allow for minimum harm and maximum improvement in understanding. I propose three general ideas:

1. Do no harm
2. Allow patients ultimate control over treatment (ok, so this one I'm still mulling over, but it should allow choice in death with dignity issues)
3. Do everything possible to advance medicine and to help others. This includes pushing through the bumps in the road, like social controversy.

Aside from this, I look forward to everything medicine can do for us: Reduction of aging, extension of maximum lifespan, cures for disease, and the freedom to change and control our bodies as we decide.

If God is secured by natural laws, then we've been playing god for centuries, from the first child that doctors saved from disease. But I can't see anyone complain about the reduction of child mortality rates or the doubling our average lifespans compared to 100 years ago. Only people and how we can help them should matter.

Answer 5

The question I always have is this, If God didn't want us do it, why did he give us the ability to do it? He did give us free will right? Now, if I remember correctly, God said he helps those who help themselves. If we are doing the research to help better humanity we are within our rights of helping ourselves and in turn be helped by God. We aren't playing God. Technically, God farted and made all there is (big bang). We are only working with an itty bitty percentage of that and the only one we currently have control over. Also, sorry to say, but if this is for your church group, you will find very few if any openminded people. The closed minded hear nothing else. These are all my opinions of course.

The Syko Ward

Answer 6

now ABOUT THE cloning part am not so certain we have to know where limits are it was GOD that gave man the knowledge and inspiration to come up with medicine. everything was made for HIM, by HIM and in HIM. but i mean there is a limit to things GOD will destroy things first before HE share HIM glory with man as a matter of FACT its was acts like those that got satan kicked from the place where he was in GOD so were should be careful not to frustrate or try to be GOD but just do what HE has called us and ANOINTED us to do. BUT I know that u do know that these are the last days so... things of this sort were prophesied to happen.

Answer 7

I think that prolonging of life / taking life (such as abortion) is a type of playing God because only He should be able to choose when someone lives or dies. Thousands of years ago when Jesus was alive and even before that no one prolonged life the way that we do know. This may sound rude but prolonging / taking life can be seen as an act of selfishness even if its in the case of a sick loved one. If God thinks its your time then its your time

Answer 8

We're not playing God. We're helping humanity to accomplish things to help our society that God never did.

There have been test-tube babies that have grown up to be perfectly normal people.

If you want to go that far, you might as well as not use modern medicine because it would be interfering with God's work.

Answer 9

I still think God will draw that line for us. No matter what we discover, God is still in control. He won't let us attain knowledge we aren't ready to handle. Excellent discussion topic though. Let us know how it goes...

Answer 10

Dont trust medication