Unnatural Selection V: Objections to Genetic Biohacking, Part 2

[Continued from Part 1]

Genetic Engineering Is 'Playing God'

The term ὕβρις ‘hubris’ was used in Greek philosophy to refer to the supposed impiety involved in delving into the realms of god(s). It describes a personality of extreme or foolish pride or dangerous overconfidence (ironically like Satan). This pride is often in combination with arrogance. It typically describes behavior that defies the norms of behavior (challenges God) by violating the natural order.

The Greek word for sin, hamartia / ἁμαρτία, originally meant "missing the mark” or “error" so poets like Hesiod and Aeschylus used the word "hubris" to describe transgressions against the gods. A common way that hubris was committed was when a mortal claimed to be better than a god in a specific skill or attribute… which is tantamount to...a sin.

Similar ideas are apparent in some contemporary genetic thinking which views nature, specifically genetic as sacred and therefore inviolable. In other words, its uninfringeable or unchallengeable. You can’t touch it. However, the biblical doctrine of creation has clearly demythologized nature of these semi-divine Hellenistic overtones and given humankind earthly dominion over creation and a very specific mandate to care for the earth (stewardship) and its biological diversity (Genesis 1:28, 30; 2:15-20), a mandate that, if anything, was made even more explicit after the Fall (Genesis 9:1-3).

We are called not to ‘play God’ but to be responsible stewards of all that God has given. 

A Christian who finds scientific knowledge and medical knowledge in their repertoire has quite a different fear to contend with. To those that much is given much will be expected. Not the fear of having used said talent incorrectly but rather the fear that his God should judge them guilty of neglecting their steward’s responsibilities by failing to pursue the use of his/her gifts. Gifts used in opportunities for good that may be created by new developments like genetics and medical discoveries. We should approach such responsibilities not with the hubris and arrogance implicit in the phrase ‘playing God’, but with prayerful concern that we should be responsible earth-keepers under God.

The applications of genetic modification to farming provide good examples of what such stewardship can involve. About one-third to one-half of all agricultural production world-wide is lost to pests and diseases, and there is enormous scope for GMO to render crops resistant to pests, drought and frost, to improve yields and to enable food to be produced in harsh environments. Meanwhile there are millions starving on the continent of Africa annually. The central Christian concern should be to utilize the new technology to feed a hungry world and to distribute its benefits more equitably. Is there a risk using GMO? Yes. They risk of dying from starvation in Africa without it is far greater. Until you walk a mile in another’s shoes…

Doctors, scientists, biohackers and those that will allow for the ethical use of genetics modification for the betterment of humanity that are seeking to stave of crippling diseases and starvation are certainly not playing God in the ‘traditional’ sense. Instead I believe they are answering their charge to be good curators/keepers of the Earth and be ‘Good Samaritans’. Like it or not we are our brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9). We are responsible spiritually to God for other people.

Has it ever dawned on those venomously stonewalling genetic medical uses that you are potentially causing suffering to other Christians unwittingly (and non)? We “sit together in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 2:6). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it…” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental ignorance by refusal to educate yourself, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone around you suffers.

Genetic Engineering Will Remove Suffering Needed for Character-Building

This one kind of goes along with the previous. Some fear that biohacking will ultimately remove the opportunity for moral growth which is demanded for caring for the sick and disabled. There is also an essence added to a human being that only can be added through suffering and trial. Those that have gone through suffering understand this. Those that have not, I feel sorry for. There is no substitute for toiling and the sense of accomplishment it rewards. To overcome. I believe this is overstating the case though. Genetics will not trump suffering and disease completely. This is likely a mis-framing of the context.

This fear is based on an exaggerated view of the scope/potential of genetic manipulation and biohacks. The most that genetic manipulation can achieve is to generate some useful new drugs and remove some lethal genes from human genomes. Even if all this were achieved, it would be a negligible proverbial drop in the ocean of human suffering. Why did Jesus’ heal? Jesus did not leave human diseases untouched to preserve the moral benefits that caring for the sick might generate. Jesus performed miracles and drove diseases out as a demonstration of the kingdom of God (e.g. Matthew 9:35; Luke 9:2; 10:9). They were literally signs. One of the words in Greek in the Gospels for miracle is σημεῖον / semeion or literally a sign. A sign of what? A pointer or sign to the Kingdom. He was healing to heal per se but rather to point people to what a mattered. The promises an power of God.

We do not know whether any diseases Jesus healed had a genetic basis. That isn’t the point at all. The Bible is not a book of medicine but rather of Salvation.  Regardless, the Gospel record certainly provides no basis for genetic passivity. As members spliced into God’s new family we were/are called to identify with Christ in his work of liberating creation ‘from its bondage to decay’ (Romans 8:21). We are to use our gifts to do so too. To move the Kingdom forward. I am convinced this includes healing via genetics.