Theological Questions Raised by the Human Genome Initiative

The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences will monitor the ongoing research of the HGP by drawing out its implications for theology and ethics. The project's long range value will be to provide interpretations of the data for use in public policy discussion and in genetic counseling. Six topics on the impact of new genome knowledge will be the subject of research:
-human nature, especially the relationship between biological determinism and human freedom;
-the relationship between divine and human agency in the creative process;
-evil and moral failure;
-reactions by different denominations and traditions in our society;
-articulating broad ethical issues; and
-the future of genetic counseling in the face of decisions regarding health and procreation.
The primary research will be pursued by a core group of scholars drawn from the fields of genetics, theology, and ethics. An advisory committee will provide updates regarding genome research as well as enter into the process of evaluating the resulting papers. This committee will involve specialists in philosophy, theology, medicine, and genetics.