Abstract:

Genetic engineering is at the forefront of scientific thought and practice. It
has immense implications economically, environmentally, politically, and
socially, questioning what we know as ‘life’, ‘nature’, and ‘humanity’, and
possibly reframing human interaction with nature. Because of this it leads
science and government into the realm of ethics. The latter has traditionally
been seen to be the domain of religion, often seen as lacking relevance
in today’s ‘modern’ world that has fragmented frameworks that previously
supported or controlled individuals. However, the instability and isolation
from ethical resources this creates may provide problems when dealing
with challenging issues—such as genetic engineering—suggesting the need
for ethical guidelines and support something that religion provides. The
aim of this article, therefore, is to provide a qualitative understanding—a
‘Bio-Ethnography’—of how religious believers, in particular Church of
Scotland Christians, perceive and experience genetic engineering highlighting
the personal, social, and environmental, issues it raises, and
exploring Christian understandings and negotiation of them.

Author: Tony Watling