wfn.org | Scientist's views on God, cloning 'outrageous,' says

["Barb Powell"<powellb@ucc.org>]

theologian-ethicist

Jan. 8, 1998
Office of Communication
United Church of Christ
Arthur Lawrence Cribbs Jr., (216) 736-2201
cribbsa@ucc.org
Hans Holznagel, (216) 736-2214
holznagh@ucc.org
Laurie Bartels, (216) 736-2213
bartelsl@ucc.org
On the Web:  www.ucc.org
              
A D V I S O R Y :
Scientist's views on God and cloning
are 'outrageous,' says theologian-ethicist
              
EDITORS AND PRODUCERS:  Scientist and entrepreneur Richard
Seed's views on human cloning and God are "outrageous," says
a professor and United Church of Christ minister who
specializes in theology, genetics and biomedical ethics.
              
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Cole-Turner, a professor at Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary, is available for interviews by phoning
(412) 441-3304, ext. 2170.  He is prepared to respond to
statements made publicly by Seed this week.  Among other
things,  Seed has said that "God intended for man to become
one with God," that "cloning and reprogramming of DNA is the
first serious step in becoming one with God" and that Seed
intends to begin offering people the chance to clone
themselves in connection with fertility treatments.
              
Cole-Turner issued this statement today: "Dr. Seed seems to
think that God intends for us to clone ourselves and that
cloning will bring us closer to God.  In truth, human
cloning is unsafe and irresponsible.  It will be many years
before it is safe for human use.  And even then, there are
many good reasons to think that it will always be immoral
and unwise to clone a human being.  For Seed to ignore the
voices of constraint is foolish.  For him to think he has
God's blessing is blasphemous."
              
Cole-Turner is the editor of "Human Cloning:  Religious
Responses," published in December 1997 by Westminster John
Knox Press, and is co-author of "Pastoral Genetics,"
published by The Pilgrim Press.  The latter won a 1997
Templeton Foundation Prize.
              
Also available is a June 1997 statement on human cloning
issued by a committee convened by the United Church Board
for Homeland
Ministries, a national agency of the United Church of
Christ.  Phone the contact persons named at the top of this
release for a copy of the statement or for further
information.

-- JAN. 8, 1998