wfn.org | Genetic Science Task Force

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (231
notes).

Note 227 by UMNS on July 21, 1997 at 16:04 Eastern (3388 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

Contact: Joretta Purdue                           415(10-71B){227}
         Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722            July 21, 1997

Genetic Science Task Force to explore creating
meaningful discussion between interested parties

     WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- Members of the United Methodist Genetic
Science Task Force, meeting here July 17, decided to begin
exploring the possibility of a forum that would engage those who
have a stake in genetic research.
     The idea grew out of frustrations with the bio-ethics
conferences several members had attended since their May 12
meeting. These included such short-comings as failure to offer
"moral" considerations for positions and lack of communication
between scientists and ethicists.
     "We have an opportunity to do something different," said the
Rev. David Trickett, an ethicist who is a member of the Louisiana
Annual Conference, in proposing the forum. "My sense of what's
needed is engagement instead of dumping material on people."
     E. Virginia Lapham of Washington, a social scientist with the
Human Genome Project at Georgetown University Medical Center, said
scientists want guidelines. 
     Robert Fujimura, a research biochemist at the University of
Miami, observed that if the federal Food and Drug Administration
approves germ-line engineering -- changing genes in such a way
that the changes will be passed on to future generations --
scientists will do it "no matter what Methodists say."
     The 11-member task force from the 1988-92 quadrennium was
reconstituted this year after the cloning of a sheep named Dolly
in Scotland. This one-day meeting was only the second time the
group had gathered since then, and diverse opinions were expressed
in far-ranging discussions of several topics associated with
genetic research and therapy.
     The Rev. J. Robert Nelson, a Houston ethicist, suggested that
the concern expressed in the resolution adopted by the 1992
General Conference regarding the lack of safety in germ-line
engineering had not changed because there are still no assurances
of safety.
     The Rev. Frank Seydel, a geneticist and genetics counselor at
Georgetown University Medical Center from the Iowa Annual
Conference, observed that procedures or standards for determining
safety have not been specified.
     Observed James Crosse, a physician in Columbus, Ga., "There
is no way out of germ-line therapy." When drugs are used, the dose
can be changed or the drug abandoned if there is an adverse turn,
he explained, but with germ-line engineering the results are
without end.
     Task force members are struggling to define issues and
recommend positions that will eventually comprise a report to the
2000 General Conference. They agreed they will either put forward
a new resolution or revise the one adopted by the 1992 General
Conference to reflect developments in the field.
     They focused on germ-line engineering for much of this
session. Their next meeting, which will be Oct. 1, will explore
new issues in agricultural and environmental genetics and genetic
discrimination.
      Bishop Susan M. Morrison of the Albany Area convened the
meeting.
                               # # #
     
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------