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Society, Religion and Technology Project

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Looking at the ethics of technology for a New Millennium


Engecov4

SMITHFIELD SHOW PRESS RELEASE

ENGINEERING GENESIS


Ethics and Genetic Engineering :
New Book Bridges the Divide


Available now in major bookshops

Royal Smithfield Show - Press Conference and Debate

Dr Donald Bruce will one of the speakers in
The Big Debate - Genetically Modified Organisms
16:30-17:30
Large Theatre, Earls Court, London

Dr Donald Bruce will discuss issues raised in the book
Sunday 29th November from 15:30 to 16:00
at the Press Centre, Royal Smithfield Show, Earls Court, London

Contents

 The Press Release - New Book Bridges the Divide
About the Authors
What the Reviewers are Saying
For further information, or to request a review copy of the book
Where to Buy Engineering Genesis
For a Slightly Longer Press Briefing Statement
Preview Page of Engineering Genesis

Press Release
Royal Smithfield Show, Sunday 29 November
Immediate Release

Ethics and Genetic Engineering -
New Book Bridges the Divide

Engineering Genesis - The Ethics of Genetic Engineering in Non-Human Species, just published by Earthscan, breaks significant new ground in the controversial debate over genetic engineering in animals, plants and micro-organisms.

It is the outcome of a unique 4-year working group of the Society Religion and Technology Project (SRT) of the Church of Scotland. This study set out to bridge the gap between the worlds of science and ethics, by engaging top thinkers in ethics, sociology and risk with leading geneticists like Ian Wilmut, leader of the team which cloned Dolly the sheep and Mike Wilson, Deputy Director of the Scottish Crop Research Institute. Edited by SRT Project director Dr Donald Bruce and his wife Ann, its combination of balance and insight looks set to become a major contribution to thinking in this hot topic.

The study provides answers to and opinions on the key issues in the debate, including:

Is genetic engineering `playing God'?

The book does not see genetic engineering as wrong in itself - indeed `playing God with nature" can be seen as a positive expression of God-given creativity. But it warns that genetics is a reductionist approach to biology, affecting patterns in a natural world we still only partly understand. It must be therefore assessed not just for its success at narrow goals but against a wider more holistic view of the world.

A lack of public accountability

One key finding is the lack of accountability to the general public in the rapid development of genetic engineering in agriculture and medicine. Commercial and political interests carry too much weight in driving the technology & show a disturbing tendency to dismiss valid public concern as irrational. It calls for a standing ethical commission on non-human biotechnology, with major public involvement.

Should we eat genetically modified food?

While not opposed to genetically modified food, it stresses the need for mandatory labelling and segregation of genetically altered foods, as a matter of social justice for the sake of the many who do object. UK and EU regulations are flawed in requiring labelling only where foreign DNA can be detected, which misses the main point for many ordinary people. Sweeping claims that "we need genetic engineering to feed the world" are not so far borne out by investment and research priorities heavily skewed to the western consumer market. A major reorientation is called for if the truly hungry of the world are to be fed.

Genetically modified animals - how far can we go?

The study finds that pharmaceutical production in sheep milk is acceptable but that the use of pig organs in humans and genetically induced cancerous mice both present deep ethical dilemmas in how far we are justified in animal intervention and how realistic are the medical benefits. Animal cloning for producing medical proteins is supported, but its use in animal production is questioned.

Can life be patented?

The book supports having some form of intellectual property protection, but is divided over whether we should continue to allow patenting genes and living creatures. It offers both sides of the argument.

Is genetic engineering too risky?

Risks of genetic engineering can be exaggerated by objectors and played down by proponents. The study looks behind what drives the different viewpoints and how these affect public perception. While no major problem has happened, we need to maintain a precautionary approach in what is still a young technology, especially over the wider ecological interactions as more genetically modified crops are used

Sounding a Warning Note

Genetic engineering could have many good uses in agriculture, the environment and medicine, but ...these could be lost in a backlash if we fail to make widespread public ethical discussion keep pace with the scientific developments. Engineering Genesis provides an important interdisciplinary contribution to this ongoing debate.

"Engineering Genesis" is published by Earthscan Publications,
120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ
at 12.99 UK Pounds paperback, ISBN 1 85383 570 6

For further information, or to request a review copy of the book
Engineering Genesis - Contents Page and Chapter Summaries
Engineering Genesis - Excerpts from the Introduction
More about the Working Group Study
Back to Preview of the Book page

Return to Contents

About the Authors

The book is a product of a 10 person working group edited by :
  • Dr Donald M Bruce, Scientific Director, at the Society and Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland.
  • and Ann Bruce is a former animal breeding specialist in the agricultural industry.

    The 10 members of the group and their areas of relevant expertise

    Return to Contents

    WHAT THE REVIEWERS ARE SAYING


    "At last a balanced and rational approach to genetic engineering. The pros and cons are clearly explained ... will be easily understood by the layman."
    Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    "Engineering Genesis is a major contribution to the public debate on genetic engineering ... it is lucid, well argued and never shirks controversy."
    Dr David Shapiro, Nuffield Council on Bioethics, former Executive Secretary

    "The genetic revolution requires the best of science and theology. This book provides a taste of both."
    Dr David Cook, writer, lecturer and broadcaster on Christian ethics.

    "An outstanding guide for the morally and scientifically perplexed in this new age of genetics. No atheist has written anything half as good on genetic engineering as this report by the Church of Scotland."
    Tom Wilkie, Head of Biomedical Ethics, The Wellcome Trust, former science editor of The Independent newspaper.
    Return to Contents

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

    "Engineering Genesis" published October 1998 by Earthscan Publications, 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ at 12.99 UK Pounds paperback, ISBN 1 85383 570 6

    To request a review copy of the book, contact the publicity department at Earthscan Publications
    tel.0171-278 0433, fax 0171-278 1142
    email address : cbruce@kogan-page.co.uk

    For more about the book and the study, contact :
    Dr Donald M. Bruce
    Society, Religion and Technology Project
    , 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN, Scotland.
    tel. 0131-240 2250, fax 0131-240 2239,
    email address : srtp@srtp.org.uk http://webzone1.co.uk/www/srtproject/enegenpre.htm

    or contact the Church of Scotland Press Office, tel. 0131 240 2243, fax 0131 225 6475

    For more information about the book and its background, see also our page on the SRT Study on the Ethics of Genetic Engineering in Non-human Species.

    For more information about genetic engineering and cloning, see also our pages on Genetic Engineering issues and Cloning issues

    Preview Page of Engineering Genesis

    WHERE TO BUY ENGINEERING GENESIS

    Engineering Genesis is available from 11 November from major bookshops and many Christian booksellers in Scotland and across the UK, at 12.99 UK Pounds paperback, 40.00 hardback, or from the SRT Project directly (with a small charge for postage and packing) .
    Click here for details of how To Order Copies of Engineering Genesis

    Go to SRT Contents Page

    This page was last revised on 4 January 1999, and has been accessed
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