SRT PROJECT PUBLICATIONS
November 2003

• BSE/CJD CRISIS, and its Effect on Scottish Agriculture Available On line
  Based on the 1997 Church and Nation Committee Report, SRT Project, June 1997
  DISPLAY/BSEINFO.SAM
• Sustainable Agriculture Available On line
  Based on the 2002 SRT Project General Assembly Report, 19 June 2002
  DISPLAY/SUSTAGIN.LWP

• Car Use and Environmental Responsibility Available On-line
  Based on the 1998 Church and Nation Committee Report, revised November 1999
  DISPLAY/CARUS982.SAM
• Church Energy Conservation Scheme in Scotland Available On-line
  Revised September 2000, CHENEFF3.SAM
• Ringing the Alarm for Climate Change
• Scottish Eco-Congregation Programme Available On-line
  as text only
  or as with images (425 Kbytes).
  Revised July 2003, ECONG/RESOURCES/BRIEF.DOC and ECONG/RESOURCES/BRIEFF.DOC
• SRT Project Work on Environmental Issues Available On-line
  Revised March 2002, DISPLAY/ENVINF01.SAM

• Genetic Engineering - How Far Should We Go in Modifying Animals? Available On-line
  Revised January 2001, DISPLAY/GENANINF.SAM
• Genetically Modified Food - Pros and Cons Available On-line
  Revised November 1999, DISPLAY/GMFOOD1.SAM
• Environmental Risks from GM Crops Available On-line
  June 2000, DISPLAY/GMFERSK2.LWP
• Patenting Life? - Who Owns the Rights to Genes and Transgenic Organisms? On-line
  Revised November 1999, DISPLAY/PATDISPL.SAM
• What is Genetic Engineering? Available On-line
  Revised November 1999, DISPLAY/GENINF2.SAM

• Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells: Ethical Dilemmas Available On-line
  March 2002, CLONINF8.LWP
• Are Embryonic Stem Cells a Step too Far? Available On-line
  December 2000, CLONINF7.LWP
• Cloning for Therapeutic Purposes Available On-line
  April 2000, DISPLAY/CLONINF6.SAM
• Human Cloning - The Ethical Issues Available On-line
  Revised March 2002, CLONINF5.LWP
• Is it Right to Clone Animals? Available On-line
  Revised March 2002, DISPLAY/CLONINF4.SAM

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SRT Papers on Topical Issues

CLONING - A STEP TOO FAR?
An occasional topical paper
Donald M. Bruce, SRT Project, March 1997

Dolly the cloned sheep has made headlines all over the world. The media fell over themselves over the prospects of cloning humans, but largely missed the point that we can already clone animals. Should we do it, or is this the point we say this is one step too far? This article considers critically the way we are using animals with new technology, how we regulate research, and the implications for humans, far fetched though they may be.
Available from SRT Project, £1.00.
CLONE/WEBCLONE.SAM


CRITIQUE OF THE UK DRAFT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
A Submission to the Government's Consultation Exercise, September 1993
Donald M.Bruce and Andrew R.C. McLellan (SRT Project, 1993)

A joint submission by the SRT Project and the Church of Scotland's Committee on Church and Nation, which critically examines aspects of the Department of the Environment's July 1993 draft UK Strategy for Sustainable Development. It comments especially on assumptions about economic growth, on the inadequacy of global warming and acid emission control measures, and on the need for energy and transport policies and to reduce dramatically road vehicle use.
7 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
ENV/UKSUST05.SAM


THE DOMINANT ECONOMIC MODEL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : ARE THEY COMPATIBLE?
A Submission to European Union 5th Programme on Environment and Sustainable Development
EECCS, September 1995

This is the report of an expert working group on economics and ecology of the European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society (EECCS), of which the SRT Director was a member. It proposes that to put into practice the concept of "sustainable development" requires a re-evaluation of the current economic models of the EU and its member states, and its policies in energy, transport and trade. Viable alternative approaches are suggested. The mechanisms of the market should reflect as far as possible the true environmental and social costs, especially of fossil fuel burning and road transport. Fiscal policy should shift away from taxing labour to taxing finite resources. Overall, we need a new concept of "ecological efficiency" whereby we waste less and less not only of energy but all our resources. In transport, the trend to ever greater mobility and speed is challenged, and integrated and regional approaches are proposed instead, and a re-education in how we use our mobility. The theological principles behind these suggestions are also discussed.
The full report is 80 pages is available on request.
Click here for a 5 page Executive Summary.
ENVEUR/ECO2SUM1.SAM


ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Donald Bruce and David Pickering, European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society 1995
SRT Project, April 1995

This is the energy chapter of the above EECCS report The Dominant Economic Model and Sustainable Development - Are they Compatible?. It asks what are the elements of a sustainable approach to energy, in terms of resource use, environmental damage, human health and safety and issues of equity and justice. The primary feature is the need to reduce our consumption of energy as a whole, and to implement policies which will greatly reduce our dependence on coal, oil and gas, which are the main causes of the threat of global warming and of chronic atmospheric pollution. In the long term, renewable energy is the main sustainable route to energy supply. The pros and cons of nuclear power are discussed, noting the deeply divided views which persist in society and the church.
23 pages, available from SRT Project, £1.50p.
ERG/ECO2EN10.SAM


ETHICS IN FARM ANIMAL BREEDING TECHNOLOGIES
- A Submission to the Banner Committee on Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in the Breeding of Farm Animals, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries & Food
SRT Project, March 1994

A brief submission, with appendices, made by the SRT Project's expert working group on Genetic Engineering in Non-human Life Forms, to a MAFF committee about ethical concerns in genetic engineering and other technologies being applied or considered in farm animal breeding. The submission raises questions of intrinsic concern, animal welfare, genetic diversity, and social and environmental implications.
8 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
GENWG/BANNER05.SAM


THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER
SRT Project, September 1994

A brief submission by the SRT Project to the Government's 1994 review on the Future of Nuclear Power, suggesting that nuclear power should be retained at about the same level, in the interests of combatting global warming and other pollution resulting from our major UK energy source, the fossil fuels. It also argued that more effective steps be taken to ensure that renewable energy sources should have a much greater share of in the energy mix. It expressed deep concern at the slow progress at demonsrtated solutions to the management of radioactive waste. An appendix gives the basis for these points in more detail.
7 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
ERG/NUCLREV2.SAM


GENE THERAPY - A DISCUSSION PAPER
Donald M.Bruce, SRT Project, December 1994

This discussion paper assesses some issues raised by the possibility of human gene therapy, including what sort of genetic intervention in humans should and should not be permissible. It considers the different implications of somatic and (were it ever possible) germline therapy, and our responsibilities towards future generations and future society.
12 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
HUMGEN/GENTHPY1.SAM


GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD - GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT
Donald M.Bruce, SRT Project, May 1999

The position of the Church of Scotland on genetically modified food is not opposed in principle to genetic modification, and sees potential benefits as well as risks. Despite the publicity given the church does not agree with calls for a complete moratorium but for a precautionary approach. The major social issues of power, of failure of democracy are discussed as well as the impact on the developing countries and the validity of the claim to feed the world is critiqued.
10 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
GMFOOD/GMFOOD07.SAM


HUMAN GENETICS QUESTIONS
SRT Project, January 1995

A submission from the SRT Project to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into Human Genetics. It gives responses to 15 questions selected from a longer questionnaire sent out by the Commons committee, and addresses such issues as whether certain research topics should be prohibited, whether scientists should be responsible for the wider implications of their research, on genetic "improvements", germline gene therapy, and the protection of genetic information.
8 pages, available from SRT Project, 50p.
HUMGEN/SELECT01.SAM


INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC NGINEERING
SRT Project, October 1993

This is a free information sheet which summarieses what genetic engineering means, and raises a selection of the main ethical issues it raises in application to humans, and to animals, plant and micro-organisms. Although it provides some general ethical guidelines, its purpose is to raise issues for discussion, not to give a defintive view on the questions.
Available from SRT Project, free.
GENG/INFGEN02.SAM


LIFE ON MARS?
An occasional topical paper
Donald M. Bruce, SRT Project, September 1996

Is there life on Mars and what would it mean for Christian belief, if so? Would it deny the Bible's view of creation? What does it tell us about our search for identity in an awesomely large universe?
3 pages, available from SRT Project, free.
SRTWEB/MARSLIF3.HTM


PATENTING LIFE?
An occasional topical paper
Donald M. Bruce, SRT Project, April 1996

We patent mechanical inventions and chemical processes, but should we be allowing the patenting of living things ... like genetically modifed animals or sections of the human genome? How should the ethical dimension to these things get decided? A paper on an area of current controversy with some far reachung implications.
2 pages, available from SRT Project, free.
PATENT/SCSUNPAT.SAM


PERCEPTIONS AND VALUES
A Submission to the Government on Science & Technology
Donald M.Bruce, SRT Project, November 1992

A submission to the Office of Science and Technology consultation leading to the White Paper on Science and Technology of June 1993. It highlights public perceptions of science and technology, and the explores the assumptions and pre-suppositions which underlie current practice. The effect which these have in influencing the direction and motivation and priorities in science and technology is c ontrasted with a Christian alternative.
4 page summary, available from SRT Project, free
16 page full submission, available from SRT Project, £1.50.
SCITECH/S&TWHIT5.SAM


REVIEW OF ISSUES IN GENETIC ENGINEERING IN NON-HUMAN LIFE SPECIES
E.A.Bruce
SRT Project, March 1994

A survey of the literature on the status of genetic engineering in animals, plants and micro-organisms current to January 1994, and a review on the ethical discussions up to that time.
Available from SRT Project, £2.50.
GENWG/GEREV1A.SAM


RISK AND BSE
An occasional topical paper
Donald M. Bruce, SRT Project, May 1996

Our society is becoming ever more dependent on technological ways of doing things. BSE has highlighted some disturbing questions on how we handle scientific information, risk and political responsibility. This short paper reflects on these.
Available from SRT Project, free.
RISK/BSEC&N01.SAM


SRT AS MISSION
Donald M.Bruce, SRT Project, Oct.1996

A paper explaining the role of the SRT Project as the Church of Scotland's mission to the world of science and technology, seeking to bring an informed and perceptive Christian voice into one of the key shaping forces of our culture.
Available from SRT Project, free.
SRT/SRTMISS3.SAM


ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT - A CHALLENGE TO OUR LIFESTYLES
Conference of European Churches (CEC), February 1996

This is the report of a consultation of European churches' "Sustainability and Deveolpment" in June 1995 in Crete. It asks what should be the response of the churches of Europe, both east and west, to the challenge of sustainability. It looks at the root causes of present environmental and development problems, brings theological insights to them. It explores the implications for our life styles and the prophetic role of the church in achieving a sustainable society.
Available from SRT Project.
P/C CEC/CCEE


TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Barbara Schmidt-Klugman, European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society 1995
SRT Project, April 1995

The transport chapter of the EECCS report The Dominant Economic Model and Sustainable Development - Are they Compatible?. An imaginative and original analysis of mobility and transport, in the light of the impact of road and air travel on global warming and air pollution. It criticises our fixation with ever increasing mobility, the place the car has come to represent in our cultures, almost as an idol, and the trend for acceleration. We cannot go on "going faster" for ever. It proposes solutions based on transfer of freight from road to rail, on a large shift from private car to attractively organised public transport, and the need to integrate all forms of public transport. The environmental costs of car need to be included very obviously in the prices we pay at the point of use. It calls for education and planning on how to use our mobility more ecologically, and challenges European governments for their relative inaction in tackling the problem.
23 pages, available from SRT Project, £1.50p.
TRANS/ECO2TRA3.SAM


UK ENERGY POLICY
A Submission to the Select Committee on the Future of Coal
Donald M.Bruce (SRT Project, December 1992)

A short submission to the Trade and Industry Commons Select Committee, stressing the need for a coherent, long term energy policy based on a mixture of supplies, criticising the "dash to gas", and urging that full environmental effects of all energy technologies be included in economic and strategic assessments. It argues that the current market policy biasses against investment in capital intensive energy technologies such as renewables and innovative uses for coal.
3 pages, available from SRT Project, free.
ERG/ENPOL1.SAM


WHAT USE IS BANNING NEWSGROUPS?
An occasional topical paper
Donald M. Bruce, SRT Project, April 1996

The UK Government has been consulting for some time on how to limit the availability via the Internet of paedophilic images and other material generally regarded as offensive. This article considers some of the implications and problems in a voluntary ban on certain Internet newsgroups.
Available from SRT Project, free.
SRTWEB/NETETH02.HTM


XENOGRAFTING
A Submission to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
SRT Project, June 1995

This submission outlines the major ethical issues raised by the research into the possibility of transplanting genetically modified animal organs (e.g. pig's hearts) into human beings. It considers how we balance human benefit and animal intervention, and other implications. While cautiously welcoming this particular research, the submission also raises some significant concerns about its wider impact on our attitude towards using animals and towards human health.
13 pages, available from SRT Project
GENWG/XENNUF03.SAM

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SRT BOOKS AND REPORTS

AGAINST THE GRAIN - Questioning the Methods and Purposes of Food Production
(SRT 1982)
A booklet raises questions about the methods and purposes of our agriculture and its effects on other parts of the world.
Available from SRT Project, price £0.50.


THE COMPUTER IN THE SERVICE OF THE CONGREGATION
David J Pullinger (Handsel Press and Rutherford House 1990)

A booklet outlining what computers can provide for the average church congregation, how to choose equipment and organise its use. It includes a list of resources and contacts, and information about training and data protection.
Available from SRT Project, price £1.00.


ENGINEERING GENESIS
Donald Bruce and Ann Bruce (editors) Earthscan Publications, November 1998

SRT's major new book on the Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Cloning in Non-Human Species. An acclaimed and uniquely wide-ranging and in depth study of genetic engineering in animal, plant and micro-organisms and animal cloning. The product of our 5 year multi-disciplinary expert working group study. For further information on context and content, see Engineering Genesis

Published November 1998, and now reprinting, price £12.99 paperback, £40.00 hardback.
Ordering information from the publisher Earthscan Publications


FAIR SHARES? An Ethical Guide to Tax and Social Security
Tony Walter (SRT/Handsel Press 1985)

A guide to our present income tax and social security arrangements, a description of some major proposals for reform and suggestions for how we can evaluate them.
Available from SRT Project, price £2.50.


FASLANE - FACTS AND FEELINGS
(SRT 1981)

A study and record of people's attitudes and feelings with to nuclear arms and defence policies. Presented by SRT to the 1981 World Council of Churches' Public Hearings on Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament.
Available from SRT Project, price £1.25.


GENETIC ENGINEERING
A 1989 Literature Review
Helen Alexander (SRT Project 1989)

A discussion paper reviewing the literature in 1989 on the problems of manipulating DNA, both in humans and other organisms, and the current legislation being considered in Europe and the UK.
Available from SRT Project, price £1.50.


HEAT AND LIGHT
- A Practical Guide to Energy Conservation in Church Buildings
Brian Marks and Ian G.Hanna (St.Andrew Press, 1994)

Church premises can be notoriously inefficient and expensive on heating and lighting, but much can often be done to save both energy and cost, with relatively small improvements. It expands on and replaces SRT's previous booklets, "Making the Most of It" and "Making Even More of It", to give a thorough practical guide, covering every aspect of the design, maintenance and efficiency of the heating and lighting systems of church buildings. It is written by the official consultants to the Church of Scotland, with church fabric or property committees especially in mind, and is suitable for use by any denomination or group.
Available from SRT Project or St Andrew Press, 121 George Street , Edinburgh EH2 4YN, price £4.95.
This book replaces SRT's earlier advertised publications MAKE EVEN MORE OF IT - Update on Practical Energy Use in Churches, 1986, and MAKE THE MOST OF IT - A Practical Guide to Energy Conservation in Churches, 1980


MORAL ISSUES IN TECHNOLOGY
SRT Project and Church of Scotland Department of Education
Scottish Consulatative Council on the Curriculum. 1995

An educational resource book for schools, looking at a range of issues in technology including the environment, energy, genetic engineering and the prolonging of life.
18pp., available from SRT Project, 18pp


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND VALUES IN T.V.E.I.
David C Martin/SRT Project 1987

A discussion paper exploring the new government initiative in schools and examining the implicit values in it. It is proposed that Religious Education could take an active part in comparing value systems.
Free from SRT Project.


SEEING SCOTLAND FROM THE SUMMIT - Sustainable Development in Scotland after Rio
Charles Somerville (SRT Project, revised edition 1994)

A booklet inviting the lay person to consider the implications of "sustainable development", and what it might mean for Scotland, especially looking at the areas of energy, transport and personal lifestyle. Each chapter sets out thought provoking questions, and lists books and useful organisations. Suitable as discussion material for churches, schools and other groups. First edition published Septmeber 1993; updated edition December 1994.
Available from SRT Project, price £2.80, incl. postage and packing.


TAKING OUT MOSCOW - Talking about Trident
Tony Carty, John Eldridge, Ian Kellas, David Pullinger, Malcolm Spaven, Elizabeth Templeton
(SRT Project 1991)

An edited conversation with preface and postscript about the Trident nuclear weapon missile system, in the context of international relations, psychology and theology. It has boxes of detailed information, and is illustrated with cartoons.
Available from SRT Project or St Andrew Press, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, and bookshops, price £3.95


TECHNOLOGY AT THE CROSSROADS
- The Story of the Society, Religion and Technology Project, 1970-1992
Ron Ferguson (St.Andrew Press, May 1994)

Ron Ferguson captures the flavour of the unique purpose and work of the SRT Project in this imaginative and readable history. He describes the far-reaching vision which led to its setting up, its ground-breaking early successes, and the subsequent development through the work of successive Directors up to 1992. He reviews the various major studies and achievements of the SRT Project and assesses their impact in the life of both church and nation.
Available from SRT Project or St Andrew Press, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, price £3.95.


A UNIQUE EXPERIMENT
David J Pullinger (SRT Project 1991)

A short brochure about SRT Project, its inauguration and history and its unique role among the churches. It discusses how areas of study are chosen and studied. Designed by Mark Blackadder.
Available from SRT Project, price £2.00.


WITH SCORCHING HEAT AND DROUGHT?
David J Pullinger (ed.) (SRT/Saint Andrew Press, 1989)

A set of essays on the Greenhouse Effect, introducing the scientific background and assumptions that have led to the predictions of global warming, and including policy and theological responses.
Available from bookshops, St Andrew Press, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, or the SRT Project, price £2.00.

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Books out-of-print, but available as photocopies on request

ETHICS AND DEFENCE
Howard Davis (ed.) (Basil Blackwell 1986)

An integrated collection of essays by an ecumenical, multi-disciplinary study group. Many familiar themes in the defence debate are shown in a new light, marking a step forward in the theological and ethical understanding of it.


FACING UP TO NUCLEAR POWER
John Francis and Paul Abrecht (eds) (St Andrew Press 1975)

Preparatory papers and report of the World Council of Churches' Hearing on Nuclear Power at Sigtuna, Sweden, 1975.


MAKE THE MOST OF IT - A Practical Guide to Energy Conservation in Churches (1980) and
MAKE EVEN MORE OF IT - Update on Practical Energy Use in Churches (1986) have both been superceded by the book HEAT AND LIGHT - A Practical Guide to Energy Conservation in Church Buildings


SCOTTISH OIL SHAKEDOWN
by John Francis and Norman Swan (SRT 1975)

A pioneering assessment of the prospects for oil-related industry in the West of Scotland.


WHILE THE EARTH ENDURES
An SRT Working Group convened by Charles Somerville (SRT 1986)

A much praised and influnecial report on the theological and ethical considerations of responsible land use in Scotland. It assesses the difficult questions in afforestation, pollution and agriculture, illustrated by a series of case studies. Contains a useful overview of the different lands and their use in Scotland.


WILL THE FUTURE WORK?
Howard Davis and David Gosling (editors) (SRT/WCC Church and Society 1985)

Focussing on declining industrial areas as well as new industries like micro-electronics, this book explores ways in which church, regional and international bodies can make an informed and practical response in time of rapid change.
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CARING FOR CREATION
A tape-slide prepared for Women's Guild, 1990-91.
Available for hire from Wesley Owen Bookshop, 119 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN

WHILE THE EARTH ENDURES
A video split into two halves, the first on visual presentation of a poem on Decreation, following Genesis Creation, and the second on illustration of how it is possible to have responsible and interesting afforestation.
Available for sale or hire from: Wesley Owen Bookshop, 119 George Street, Edinburgh EH2
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Church of Scotland General Assembly Reports on Technology and Environment

Reprints are available of the following recent reports on technological and environmental issues which have been made to the Church of Scotland General Assembly by the SRT Project and other committees. Free from the SRT Project.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

• Animal Welfare (Church and Nation, 1992)
• BSE/CJD crisis (Church & Nation Committee) - 1997 Report
• Cloning Animals and Humans - 1997 SRT Report
• Genetic Engineering in Animals and Plants (Highlights) (SRT 1996)
• Genetically Modified Food (SRT 1999)
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Board of Social Responsibility, 1996), available as a book "Pre-Conceived Ideas" from St.Andrew Press, £5.95
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Board of Social Responsibility, 1985)
• Human Genetics Study Group (Board of Social Responsibility, 1995), , available as a book "Human Genetics" from St.Andrew Press, £4.95
• Human Transplants Study Group (Board of Social Responsibility, 1990)
• Patenting Living Organisms - 1997 SRT Report

ENVIRONMENT

• Alternative Sources of Energy (Church and Nation, 1991)
• Car use and Environmental Responsibility (Church and Nation, 1998)
• Climate Change (SRT 1991)
• Environmental Impact of Economic Activity in Scotland (Church and Nation, 1994)
• Earth Summit (Church and Nation, 1992)
• The Future of Agriculture in Scotland (Church and Nation, 1995)
• Global Warming (Church and Nation, 1991)
• Land Tenure and Use in Scotland (Church and Nation, 1998)
• Polluting Technologies - not Talk but Action (Church and Nation, 1989)
• Scotland and Forestry - a Second Look (Church and Nation, 1989)
• SRT Project, the Environment and the Government's White Paper (SRT, 1991)

TRANSPORT

• Car use and Environmental Responsibility (Church and Nation, 1998)
• Environmental Impact of Economic Activity in Scotland (Church and Nation, 1994)
• Transport (Church and Nation, 1992)
• Transport (Church and Nation, 1991)

TECHNOLOGY

• Information Technology (SRT 1991)
• Internet and Pornography (Church and Nation, 1996)
• The Role of the SRT Project in the Mission of the Church of Scotland (SRT, 1994)
• SRT Report to the General Assembly 1997 (SRT 1997)
• SRT Report to the General Assembly 1998 (SRT 1998)
• SRT Report to the General Assembly 1999 (SRT 1999)
• SRT, the Environment and the Government's White Paper, (SRT 1991)

SRT Quarterly Newsletter

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more about our work on other issues, see our other SRT pages. For further information, or a newsletter, contact :