Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5)

Disciplines
Science
Many reasons could be given for why believers especially should pay more attention to developments in the sciences.

First, of course, is the fact that by understanding the times we’ll be in a better position to determine how we, as followers of Christ, should conduct our own lives (1 Chron. 12.32). Since Christ is Lord of all things, we who are His ambassadors should keep abreast of developments throughout His realm.

Second is the fact that so much of what science pursues these days is funded by government, which means your tax dollars at work. We may not be scientists, but we do have a political stake in what government does, and need to make sure it’s fulfilling its role as God’s servant for good.

Third, as I have mentioned before, fraud, deception, and mere self-interest are beginning to appear more frequently in all areas of science, raising concerns within the scientific community and doubts about its overall claim to be the arbiter of all things true.

Finally, it appears that some members of the scientific community may be looking for ways to circumvent existing laws and regulations in an area of scientific research that ought to be of concern to everyone: gene editing.

In an article entitled, “New genetic engineering is slipping past old regulations” Jennifer Kuzma reports on the impressive progress scientists are making in the area of gene splicing or gene editing (Aeon, 6 May 2016). This is the process whereby an organism’s genetic structure can be altered to change the organism and perhaps even an entire species.

Gene editing has become easier, cheaper, and more routine due to the invention of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This tool allows gene editing to proceed beyond existing guidelines and regulations, which were put in place when gene editing was still a lengthy and expensive process. The new technology has changed all that, and gene editing research is racing ahead so fast that it cannot be effectively regulated by existing protocols and guidelines.

Ms. Kuzma reports on the hue and cry that is rising from representatives of scientific disciplines other than genetics for greater involvement in developing guidelines for the use of these technologies. Critics and protestors insist we do not know enough about the effects of these technologies when they are used, for example, to control or eradicate unwanted species (a process called “gene drives”), to continue to allow researchers to proceed without clear regulations and ongoing oversight.

Ms. Kuzma summarizes the problem: “Gene editing and gene drives represent an inflection point in our technological capabilities: they are outpacing government abilities to develop appropriate risk assessments and oversight systems for them.”

Concern about the use of gene drives especially is expressed, since these efforts are designed radically to alter a species, or even to destroy it completely. For now, the focus of gene drive technologies is on pests and insects carrying deadly diseases. But not enough thought has been given to what the eradication of whole species of flora or fauna may precipitate in the larger environment. And if scientists can succeed in this area, what’s to keep them from advancing to others?

Concerned observers insist these procedures need to be slowed down so that more people from a wider field of scientific disciplines can become engaged in the conversation about whether and how these technologies should be used. In the meantime, and in the absence of regulations, gene splicing and editing proceed apace.

And that should be a matter of concern not only to other scientists, but to every one of us.

For reflection
1.  Do you agree that Christians need to pay more attention to work being done in the sciences? Why or why not?

2.  What could you do in order to become more informed in this or other areas of Kingdom concern?

3.  Paul counsels us to pray about everything (Phil. 4.6). Does that include the work of science and the members of the scientific community? How might you begin to pray for these people?

Next steps: How many different fields of work are represented in your community? In your church? Does King Jesus have an interest in these? To what end? How might you make prayers for “all people” in your community a more consistent part of your own prayers (1 Tim. 2.1-8)?

T. M. Moore

There’s no telling what God might do if only men – Paul is specific about this – will take the work of prayer more seriously. To find out how you can do this, and how you can begin enlisting other men for more serious prayer, order a copy of If Men Will Pray from our online store (click here).

We’re happy to provide The Week and other online resources at no charge. If this ministry is helpful to you, please consider joining those who support our work financially. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.