The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science Summer Conference was held June 22–29, 2019 on Star Island.
The CRISPR Apple on the Tree of Knowledge: Bioengineering, Gene Editing, and the Human Future Human gene editing is quickly outstripping the decision-making mechanisms we have in place for approving or regulating technology usage. The technology to directly manipulate the genomes of plants, animals and even humans is developing rapidly and is already in use. Can it be rationally managed and applied ethically? What are the medical, economic, environmental, and social consequences of genetic manipulation? At this conference, scientists, theologians, religious scholars and ethicists will offer illuminating and thought-provoking perspectives on the issues surrounding the gene- editing technology known as CRISPR.(1) Scientists will explain the technique of gene editing with CRISPR and ethicists will ponder the impacts on society, from pest control to designer babies. What are the implications for agriculture and world hunger? What about medical advances that are too costly for most of the world? Theologians and religious scholars will discuss how we understand human nature and responsibility from within various religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Most fundamentally, we will explore ethical issues such as therapy versus enhancement; species elimination versus global epidemic; germline intervention; and the long-term effects of bioengineering and genome editing that are within the realm of CRISPR possibility.
First, do no harm: what is the state of research now? How far have we already come?
Feeding the world’s populations: what benefits and perils do we foresee for the future of the food system?
Manipulating animal genomes, controlling pests: successes and challenges
Correcting disorders and enhancing capabilities: creating a post-human future?
Managing technological advances - private and public cost issues: who pays? Who benefits?
Decision making challenges: who gets to decide? Ethical, legal, and international implications.
Program Co-Chairs: Arvin Gouw and Ted Peters Conference Co-Chair: Maynard Moore; Co-Chair for Operations: Abby Fuller