wfn.org | New Adventist Church Statements

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

October 5, 1998
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

NEW ADVENTIST CHURCH STATEMENT ADDRESSES "CHALLENGES OF SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED DISEASES"

Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, 05.10.1998   [ANN/APD] The Seventh-day Adventist Church issued a 
"Statement on Meeting the Challenges of Sexually Transmitted Diseases", on October 4, 1998.

Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, delegates to the Church's Annual Council voted to approve 
the Statement which identifies the "grave ethical, medical, and social problems resulting from 
increasing sexual permissiveness and associated promiscuity."

While noting advances in treatment, education, and research, the Statement acknowledges 
the need for continuing effort in all areas, especially the moral and spiritual aspects. 

The Statement notes that "abstinence from extramarital sex promotes sexual and emotional 
health" and concludes with an appeal that challenges the Church to develop "without delay, a 
comprehensive strategy of education and prevention." 

According to Dr. A. R. Handysides, director of the Church's Health Ministries office, "the 
statement deals with our remedial attitude to those who are either in the Church or mainly 
outside the Church and who do not live according to biblical instruction. It provides advice to 
health practitioners, hospitals and other entities and puts up front what Seventh-day 
Adventists have to say on this subject. It will also be beneficial to Adventist pastors and those 
who are dealing with non-church organisations that may be asking us what is our position 
regarding this matter."

The full text of the statement is available at the APD homepage: http://www.stanet.ch/APD 

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ADVENTISTS ISSUE STATEMENT ON ETHICAL ISSUES OF HUMAN CLONING

Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, 05.10.1998    [ANN/APD]    The Seventh-day Adventist Church issued a 
"Statement on Ethical Considerations Regarding Human Cloning," on October 4, 1998.

Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, the Church's Annual Council voted to approve the Statement 
which sets out concerns over the possible cloning of human beings. With this prospect "comes 
the Christian responsibility to address profound ethical issues associated with human cloning," 
says the Statement.

While admitting that "there may be future situations in which human cloning could be 
considered beneficial and morally acceptable," the document also raises concerns over risks 
and misuses of human cloning. 

Speaking on behalf of the Church's Health Ministries office, its director, Dr. A. R. Handysides, 
said that "this statement is in line with many international and political views on the subject," 
and for the Church it is "more of a red flag, and it may help us to digest what we read and 
what we see evolving in the world around us."

The full text of the statement is available at the APD homepage: http://www.stanet.ch/APD