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Draft Social Statement on Genetics to be considered

by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Florida Bahamas Synod Resource Group

Summer 2010

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Note:Page numbers in presentation refer to pages in draft statement

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Outline of this presentationWhy should we care?Discussions on “hot topics”Why involve the laity?Draft social statementBackground information for you on 3 “hot

topics” with cross-over to draft social statementAgricultureStem cellsProcreative activities

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What is a social statement? Page I

ELCA social statements are teaching and policy documents that assist members in discernment for action and in forming judgments on social issues. They also set policy for this church, guide its advocacy and aid its life as a public church. Social statements are developed through an extensive process of deliberation involving the whole church, and are adopted by a two-thirds vote of an ELCA churchwide assembly.

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Why do we need social statements?

Social statements are attempts to present theologically and biblically generalized positions on social matters

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Oh, No!! With the exception of Roman Catholics, no other denomination creates social statements  

(William Rodriguez, Synod Resource Group member  and Professor of Philosophical & Religious Ethics, Bethune-Cookman University

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Why do we need this statement?

1. Science is ever changing & developments happen lightning fast

2. Science promises to address medical problems but also creates great challenges 

3. Church needs to be on the vanguard of challenging social trends

4. Since we do not have the political will to legislate certain areas of concern, 

the church needs to address concerns  

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Genetic Hot Topics

Uses of animals

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Present & future uses of animalsCloning for foodGenetically engineer for

xenotransplantationUse animals in biomedical researchUse animal organs for transplanting

into humansEthical concern: Where do we

draw the line? What do you see as the problem?

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Genetic Hot Topics

Genetic Engineering

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Disease Treatment

Type 1: failure to produce insulin

Type 2: insulin resistance, cells fail to use insulin properly.

Gestational diabetes

NowRecombinant

Insulin DNA in bacteria and plants

TransplantsHuman pancreasPig pancreasIslets only

Potential Benefit in Diabetes Treatment

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Future?

Prof. William RodriquezBethune Cookman University Bioethics Lecture

Combine DNA of pigs and humans to harvest organsProblem: creation of chimeras

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Genetic Hot Topics

Human Cloning

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Prof. William RodriquezBethune Cookman University Bioethics Lecture

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What can we learn from The Island (2005)?

Film presents strange world of the future . Lincoln Six Echo and his fellow citizens are taught to believe that they are normal; the truth is that Lincoln, and the others, is actually a clone who was created to provide needed organs when the person who supplied his or her DNA falls ill.

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THE ISLAND (2005)Live in a confined

indoor community after abuse of the Earth has rendered most of the planet uninhabitable.

One of the only places in the outside world still capable of sustaining life is an idyllic island.

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Ethical Decision Making

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Biblical Model

First Reading Genesis 18:20-32: Sodom and Gomorrah

God Abraham

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Celebrate Sunday July 25, 2010:

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Human ModelBiotechnology : we now have ability to affect our heredity and that of all living organisms. New disease treatments (expensive, but based on our own genetics)Learn about offspring prior to birth (diseases, sex)

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ELCA Model

Testing or change DNA

Effects on us

Physical

Emotional

Financial

Religious

After Birth

Pre-natal

Pre-implantation

Pre-conception

AN ELCA SOCIAL

STATEMENT

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5.2 Koinonia page 36

In what is sometimes more difficult, congregations and other ministry sites also are called to live out their mutuality by offering respect to brothers or sisters in Christ who disagree sharply (Romans 12:9–21). There will be times when Christian deliberation leads members of the same body to conflicting moral outcomes. We must recognize that the choices of Christian people regarding genetic applications sometimes will disrupt the assumption of shared viewpoints and common values within our congregations and places of ministry.

Agree to disagree on topics, but focus on value of what diverse individuals offer

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Case Study:Regulating Artificial Reproductive Technologies

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Prof. William RodriquezBethune Cookman University Bioethics Lecture

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Social Statement on Genetics

Responses are due no later than Oct. 15, 2010

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Why involve the laity in the discussions?Sustainability page 26 This church recognizes that the development of protocol for long-term social and economic impact requires creating new and effective models to implement appropriate socio-economic assessment. It will be, of course, a notable challenge to develop these in

the face of conflicting interests. The ELCA calls upon its laity with appropriate expertise to be involved in such efforts as a part of their callings.

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1. Introduction overview Advancements in Science give us

new powers, creating the need for greater level of accountability for our future

2. Faith God’s goodness and care orchestrate

creation toward abundance, sharing & life

Outline of Draft Statement

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3. Social ContextThe ELCA affirms genetic research

and application can bring much good to the world, but also recognizes the potential to harm the community through misuse or abuse

4. An Ethical Framework Key principles such as respect or

justice to examine reproductive cloning, human embryonic stem cells, research priorities, & regulatory policy making

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5. Challenges for the Community of ChristCongregation should be safe places for

reflection, deliberation, discernment & acceptance

Lay leaders living out daily calling with dialogue partners including scientists, pastors, members

Proposing ethical framework for use in public

6. Power Choice and ResponsibilitySummarize the nature of society in these

times and invoke a wise use of genetic knowledge

The ability to live boldly in these times because of the steadfastness of our Triune God

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What is requested of you? Page IIReview each section, then after each section,

asking some of the following questions may help direct conversation:What are the strengths of this section? What are the weaknesses of this section? What has been left out that needs to be

included? What advice do you have for the task force,

keeping in mind that they are charged with writing a social statement for the whole church?• Review pages 32–34

• List what is accepted, rejected, and questioned

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How might your congregation approach this study?Look at one of the earlier study guides:

“Genetics! Where do we stand as Christians?”

“Genetics and Faith”More information is on ELCA web site.

Study other denominational social statements

Reflect on this social statement

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Page 4, Lines 70-76 Lutherans understand that the books of the Bible were written long before the beginnings of modern science and technology and before humans developed the power to directly alter the future of the planet through contemporary knowledge and technology. Scripture, for instance, never uses the word “genetics” and is not aware of its fundamental concepts.

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Faith Affirmations: Scripture & Genetics

My church studied for 4 months Genetics! where do we stand as Christians?

Disagreed, said “God is the greatest geneticist of all!Cited Genesis: Jacob’s breeding of the

sheep and goats.Also parts of Exodus and Leviticus.Just wasn’t expressed in terms of

modern scienceAdvice for task force: re-examine lines 70-76

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ResourcesELCA:

www.ELCA.org (Division of Church & Society)

Florida-Bahamas Synod:Web site and Resource GroupFacebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tampa-FL/Florida-Bahamas-Synod-ELCA/257043548066?ref=nf

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Resource Group: active ELCA members within the Florida-Bahamas SynodMs. Cheryl Stuart, Attorney, Synod Vice President, Tallahassee Dr. Linda Jacobsen, formerly Director, Cell Culture Laboratory,

Purdue University Cancer Center, and Principal Scientist at Roche Diagnostics; Groveland

Mr. William Rodriquez, Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, concentrating on Religious (Christian) and Philosophical Ethics; area of concentration is Bioethics, Bethune-Cookman Univeristy, Daytona Beach

The Rev. Marda Messick, formerly and RN, now a parish pastor, Tallahassee

The Rev. Robert Wiley, retired parish pastor and hospital chaplain dealing with ethical matters, Tampa

Ms. Irene Flynn, Resource Specialist, Florida-Bahamas Synod Staff, Tampa (contact: IreneF@fbsynod.org )