Originated Mark Murray <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> Forwarded from SCOPE.
Some additional resources:
For a very good review of Islamic views on GE, c/o SLICE: http://members.tripod.com/~ngin/211.htm
Several of the essays on Ron Epstein's excellent site, "Genetic engineering and its dangers", relate to a spiritual/ethical perspective (eg Buddhist)
Christian Ecology Link CEL's views on GM and the farmscale trials http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/
Why the Church of England won't allow GM crop trials on Church land The Ethical Investment Advisory Group's statement: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/cgi-bin/news/item_frame.pl?id=77
Biotechnology and genetically modified organisms Christian Aid briefing (Jan 2000)
Selling Suicide farming, false promises and genetic engineering in developing countries Christian Aid's report (May 1999 - updated)
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Loren asked: What is the Christian standpoint on GMF?
Others ask: And what about other religions?
(a) Various religious groups have various positions on GMO's. Some groups avoid the issue completely. What follows are a listing of web sites for readers to consult regarding religious, ethical and moral approaches to GMO's.
(b) The Catholic Church: To my knowledge, beginning in 1998, The Catholic Church, began publically questioning GMO's in crops and food, although the Church's scientific panels began questioning GMO's much earlier. In late 2000, Pope Paul made two statements on genetically engineered crops, one included in a Homily. More recently, the Vatican has issued a more specific statement. I have some of the Vatican statements on file here, as reported in the press, and would be happy to forward them to you, if needed ((send note to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )). More specifically, please consult some of the listed web sites, below, as I do not wish to speak here for the Church, nor will I do justice to any summary here. Also check www.iccr.org. which represents many religious groups.
(c) Protestant Denominations: Positions vary. Check www.iccr.org for more details, as well as some of the other web sites, listed below. Denominations which currently have "no position" are still examining the issue, and a few are preparing statements that will take a position.
(d) Muslim: More Muslim groups are opposing GM Food on religious grounds, as reported in the press, and the trend to oppose GMO's is increasing. A few countries have banned import of GM foods, and more are expected in future months. The subject has also been broached in Islamic conferences.
(e) Jewish Faith: See www.iccr.org which contains statements from rabbis and quotes from the Torah.
(f) Other Religions: Contacts in ICCR (above) can direct the reader.
(g) PBS Program, "Religion and Ethics News Weekly" (PBS Television, Sunday, 22 April 2001, Earth Day) An excellent review on religions' concerns on GMO's. See program summary, and program full text web links, below:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/ (Summary)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week434/cover.html (Full Txt)
(h) Excerpt from above program: Host O'BRIEN: Religious groups, concerned about dietary restrictions, have demanded genetically modified foods be labeled as such. The industry has resisted, fearing labeling might be unduly alarming. To some, the mere idea of tampering with the gene pool -- even of vegetables -- violates scripture. RABBI FRED DOBB: The major text that applies here is from Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 19. "So you should not let your cattle mate with a different kind, you should not sow your seed of a mixed kind and you should not put on cloth that is from mixed material, wool and linen." End excerpt.
(i) Partial List of Web Sites provided by above PBS Program:
(1) Council for Responsible Genetics http://www.gene-watch.org/
(2) Anglican Journal: "The ethical implications of genetically modified food" by Eric Beresford, October 1999 (Anglican Church of Canada) http://www.anglicanjournal.com/125/08/oped03.html
(3) Organic Consumers Association: "Religious Leaders Finally Questioning Gene-Altered Foods" Religion News Service, November 30, 2000 http://www.purefood.org/ge/religiousge.cfm
(4) Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility http://www.iccr.org/
(5) National Catholic Rural Life Conference http://www.ncrlc.com/
(6) Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.ucsusa.org/index.html
(7) Bioethics at Iowa State University http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/
(8) National Catholic Bioethics Center http://www.ncbcenter.org/
Reporting Daily News Headlines on the GM Food Debate: Ask for free subscription to The Daily Brief: at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.