Uses
Consequences
History
Church's View
Opinions
100
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is altering the genetics of an organism.
100
What will happen as a result of genetically engineering plants?
Engineered plants will breed with natural plants and eventually lead to the extinction of the naturally occuring plants.
100
When did the use of genetic engineering first begin?
Genetic engineering was first used in the 1980's.
100
Does the Catholic Church support genetic engineering?
The Church does not support genetic engineering when it endangers human life.
100
Do you think it is justified to experiment with the genetics of animals such as mixing the genes of humans and animals?
200
What kind of diseases are scientists attempting to cure through genetic engineering?
Scientists are trying to cure diseases such as cystic fibrosis and cancer through genetic engineering.
200
Can human life be harmed through genetic engineering?
Yes, research on embryonic stem cells destroys the embryo.
200
Genetic engineering has been used to clone animals, what animal was successfully cloned?
Dolly the sheep was a recent success in cloning.
200
What are some examples of Biblical passages which can be applied to genetic engineering?
Leviticus 19:19 and Ecclesiastes 7:13
200
Do you think people should be able to influence the genetics of their unborn children?
300
What kind of procedures use genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is used for research in cloning and stem cells.
300
What is are the consequences of genetic engineering in animals?
Animals such as chickens are genetically altered to produce more meat as a result the chicken's lifespan is shorter and it cannot stand or walk properly.
300
What was the first disease that GE was experimented on?
"bubble boy disease" or Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
300
Why does genetic engineering have the potential to disobey the Ten Commandments?
Genetic engineering disobeys the commandments: not to worship another god before God, not to have false idols and not to kill.
300
Do you think that we should disrupt biodiversity by genetically altering plants?
400
What kind of living things can be altered to serve human needs?
Animals- Cows, chickens, sheep Crops- Corn, wheat, tomatoes
400
What is the problem with knowing the genetics of a human embryo?
Although knowing the genetics of an embryo allows us to know if the embryo has a genetic disease parents can choose to terminate the embryo, ending a human life.
400
What kind of foods have been genetically engineered?
Tomatoes have been altered to make them last longer and grow larger, wheats have been altered to grow faster, and fruits have been altered to be more resistant to diseases.
400
Why does the Catholic Church view genetic engineering as being potentially unethical?
Genetic engineered is viewed as being unethical when it reduces life to bioligical material which humans can dispose of at our will.
400
Do you think that genetic engineering is beneficial overall, why or why not?
500
What is the human genome project, what is it's purpose?
The human genome project is the mapping of the human genetic code, it would allow for the replication of human beings.
500
What is another consequence of genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering can cause mutations in living things which can result in their destruction.
500
In what year or years was the topic of genetic engineering addressed in an encyclical?
Genetic engineering was addressed in encyclicals in 2008 and 2009; "Instruction Dignitas Personae on certain bioethical questions" and "Caritas in Veritate."
500
What does the Catechism say about genetic engineering?
"One must hold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but are directed toward its healing the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival." The Catechism says that genetic engineering must uphold the dignity of the embryo and human life.
500
Do you think that we as humans should be allowed to use genetic engineering to alter hereditary traits using eugenics?
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