wfn.org | Human Cloning to Be Topic for Lutherans October 13-15

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 19, 2000

HUMAN CLONING TO BE TOPIC FOR LUTHERANS OCTOBER 13-15
00-220-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Human cloning and related ethical issues will
be the topics of six primary papers exploring current and anticipated
technological developments from a faith-based perspective.  The
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Church in
Society sponsors a one-time consultation on human cloning at the
Ramada Plaza O'Hare Hotel here Oct. 13-15.
     "Some thoughtful observers have suggested, with a bit of wit,
that we are entering the 'clone age,'" said the Rev. Roger A. Willer,
consultation coordinator and associate for studies in the ELCA
Division for Church in Society.  "What message does the church have
about this unprecedented new technology?" he asked.
     "Cloning comes in a variety of forms and several of these are
fraught with important moral and theological challenges.  This
consultation attempts to help the church try and think ahead of the
curve on these," he said.
     "The U.S. moratorium on cloning human beings is only temporary
and rests primarily on the idea that such reproductive cloning is too
technologically risky for use on humans at the present time," said
Willer.  "What happens when the technology would be safe?  What will
the church be prepared to say at that time?" he asked.
     "This consultation is one attempt to prepare the church better
for the public debates that are sure to ensue," said Willer.
Conversation will hinge on six papers:
     + The Rev. Kevin Fitzgerald, SJ, Loyola University Medical
Center, Chicago, will present "Cloning: A State of the Art Report."
Fitzgerald is a bioethicist and research associate in Loyola's
department of hematology and oncology.
     + The Rev. Duane H. Larson, president of Wartburg Theological
Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, will present "Theological Resources for this
Conversation."  Larson has pursued dialogue between theologians and
natural scientists throughout his career.  Wartburg is one of eight
seminaries of the ELCA.
     + Dr. Hans Tiefel, professor of religion and ethics, College of
William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., will present "Procreative
Cloning: Moral and Theological Consideration."  Tiefel wrote the
chapter "Individualism vs. Faith: Ethics in Contrasting Perspective"
for the ELCA Division for Church in Society book "Genetic Testing and
Screening."
     + Dr. Mark Hanson, executive director, Missoula Demonstration
Project, Missoula, Mont., will present "Therapeutic/Research Cloning:
Moral and Theological Consideration."  Hanson is a research professor
at the University of Montana's Practical Ethics Center and has
published works on the moral and religious values challenged by gene
patenting.
     + Dr. Margaret McLean, director for biotechnology and health
care ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara
University, Santa Clara, Calif., will present "Cloning and Society:
Legal, Economic and Social Issues."  McLean serves on the California
State Advisory Committee on Human Cloning and holds doctorates in
clinical pathology and ethics.
     + The Rev. Philip Hefner, professor of systematic theology,
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will present "Cloning and
Animals: Moral and Religious Consideration."  Hefner is editor of
"Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science" and director of the Zygon
Center for Religion and Science, Chicago.
     Specialists in research, business, genetics and theology who
represent a cross-section of the ELCA will respond to the
presentations verbally and in writing.  The ELCA Division for Church
in Society is planning to publish the consultation's proceedings in
printed and electronic formats.
-- -- --
     The division maintains a Web page about the consultation at
http://www.elca.org/DCS/cloning.consultation.html on the ELCA Web
site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html