God vs. man? Cloning,genetic engineering,trans genetics etc... Are we recreating mistakes God erased?

Question

If God perfected all species of life on earth,(in the modern era), thru His advanced knowledge of cloning, genetic engineering, trans genetics and other means of creating and altering life that we,(humans), haven't discovered or perfected yet,(what we call evolution),doesn't that mean what ever genetic changes our scientists are making to any of these perfected creatures are actually recreating less advanced forms of these creatures that God allowed to become extinct,(thru evolution), because they weren't compatable to live together with us moden humans He was about to make as His last genetically perfected creation? Are we creating freaks of nature like those on the movie The Island of Dr. Moreau? We can only prey to God that He is not going to let this happen!

Answer 1

An interesting question, although I have to agree with some of the answerers that it would have fit better into another category than biology. That said, please allow me try to do three things: (1) Reflect theologically upon your idea of humans as being perfect, (2) ask how such reflection can aid us in addressing questions of medical and biological ethics, and (3) respond to some of the misunderstandings of "evolution" by some of the answerers. All this, of course, so I can finally come to offer you a possible view on the question you asked.

If I understand you correctly you think that human beings have been created perfect by God. for most theologians of the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) this is not at all a necessary interpretation of doctrines and scriptural texts. According to the creation story that all three religions more or less subscribe to God saw that what he had created was good. Not perfect. In fact, all three religions assume that we are capable not only of good things, but also of evil. We are capable of sin. As such, your description of humans as perfect does not at all chime with most models of theological anthropology.

What then does this mean for biological ethics? Are we allowed to interfer and play God, in a manner of speaking?

There is of course no easy answer to these questions. It is well within our moral responsibilities to reduce suffering if we can - no matter whether we are Juews, Christians, or Muslems. But is to do what is posible always what we should do? Let me give you an example. Infertility is a major problem in humans, and it certainly causes tremendous suffering. Modern medicine makes it possible to reduce this suffering by assuring pregnancy through tremendous medical achievements. A few years ago, Italian physician Severino Antinori assisted a 63-year-old woman in getting pregnant by implanting her with a fertilized donor egg. IIt is an extreme case, but that helps to make the point. Clearly, reducing the woman's suffering of having no children has to be carefully weighed against the well-being of the new life that is involved in the equation. On the other hand, a young child suffering from cystic fibrosis, a genetic respiratory disease, certainly deserves our attention and efforts to find a treatment. You may want to argue that God wanted this child to suffer for good reason, but if you really go to such lengths, please note that you set yourself up for the problem of evil; an all-loving, ominscient and omnipotent God is hardly reconcilable with the notion of a god willing to cause such immense suffering for innocent lives!

So far, I would say that whether or not our medical and biological advances are a good thing or a bad thing needs to be seen in context. On the surface, assisted medicine is no more or less unethical a method than using a handkerchief in the treatment of a cold...

There is, of course, the danger of making horrible mistakes, causing even more suffering in the long run. However, that in and of itself is (a) not reason enough to accept all suffering without any attempt to prevent it or decrease it, (b) demanding proper education of the general public in medical possibilities and their ethical and moral implications, (c) call for ethical self-control on part of those involved in developing and applying these methods. I would suggest we do not prey on anything for answers and prAy that God will give us the strength to live up to this tremendous responsibility.

Finally, let me respond to some misunderstanding about the process of evolution that for example albert44 seems to adhere to. Evolution is not like a mountaineer climbing to ever higher peaks. In other words, we do evolve, but that does not mean we get better in everything we do. Evolution is not a process in which we get smarter or bigger, or better this or more that. Imagine yourself climbing a mountain that changes its entire three-dimensional profile every time you take a step. This is more like what happens during evolution. When a species changes in the process of evolution, it adapts to the changes that go on around it. Our increased abilities to deal with certain problems is not the result of natural selecetion as much as of cultural evolution, which does not follow the same rules as natural selection.

We were created through the free process of evolution, a process that God chose for our creation. This implies we are not at all perfect, and that seems to be good in God's eyes. We are endowed with intelligence and the possibility to solve tremendous medical problems, an ability that God must have envisioned as part of why He thought us good. Whether or not we use these abilities appropriately is our free choice, and as such sinning, that is, knowingly choosing wroongly for selfish reasons, is always a possibility.

Answer 2

So you believe in god and evolution according to your belief you can't do that many people were killed for believing that in your belief.

Now we are evolving right now by doing them things we may not be able to perfect it yet but 20 years ago we couldn't even do it. This is showing evolution in the right now humans as a whole are getting smarter. If we are able to do all of those things it will give us a better understanding in life and longer life spans because you have unlimited medical research opportunity's happening. So in a nut shell we are evolving and the things you have mentioned are the evidence.

Answer 3

Actually God created man to fellowship with him. They Met regularly for walks and talking in the Garden of Eden. The pact was broken after the serpent had Eve eat from the tree that God had forbidden them to eat from and then Adam ate because Eve had already eaten the apple. Then Adam blamed it on Eve and Eve blamed it on the serpent and God was mad at everyone for disobeying a tiny request. So God kicked them out of the Bible and then decided to send His Son Jesus to redeem us of our sins, which He did and now we are back on the path to fellow shipping with God again in prayer, but after the rapture we will be with Him in His kingdom face to face. I have a lot of questions for Him too. Hope this Helps Jeff

Answer 4

In what ways are humans perfected? People have poor eyesight, birth defects, genetic disorders of all kinds, ...

Answer 5

Have you ever heard of Darwin? In this section that's the only God we heard about.

Answer 6

If we're perfect, why do we have appendixes and glasses and wisdom teeth?

Answer 7

Please, go to the Religion & Spirituality section. No Gods allowed in here.