Science and technology are steadily progressing. The European Union alone supports research and technology with over 50 billion euros through its Seventh Framework Programme for Research 2007-2013. Many hopes but also doubts and fears are linked to technological developments, raising questions such as “What is a human being?” or “Where are the limits?” Should we, for instance, seek to treat incurable diseases or extend human life by using organs of genetically modified pigs or cells derived from human embryos? Should we enhance human beings through converging technologies?
These questions do not only preoccupy ordinary people, but also scientists, politicians and civil servants in the European Institutions. These are topics on which churches are expected to provide reflection, if not answers. Among the channels CSC uses to convey its contributions towards the Institutions, there is the European Group of Ethics in Science and New Technologies to the European Commission (EGE) and the Council of Europe (CoE) Steering Committee on Bioethics where CSC holds an observer status.
In the coming months, CSC will again focus on end of life issues. It will review its internal working paper on that theme in the light of the consultation paper produced by the Community of Protestant churches in Europe (CPCE).
Human Enhancement: Moral, Religious and Ethical Aspects from a European Perspective
Brussels, 25 - 27 April 2012
The general aim is to facilitate an international, interdisciplinary and interdenominational dialogue on the definition, the advantages and the concerns with regard to human enhancement ; to review and further develop the 2009 CSC Paper on Human enhancement so as to present a common voice of the European Churches to the European Institutions ; to strengthen the relationship between the CSC and institutions and bodies of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the European Ethics Group, Ethics Networks and members of the European Parliament; to help identifying the future CSC priorities in this area of work.
Making perfect life Dr ir. Rinie van Est - English
Introductions Avis de la cellule de réflexion bioéthique sur les perspectives d'amélioration de l'homme ("Human Enhancement") par des moyens technologiques Dr Maria Nuñez - French
Sciences, valeurs et judaïsme Rabbi Albert Guigui - French
Un point de vue islamique concernant la "perfectibilite" de l'être humain Dr Omar Van den Broeck - French
Protestant Perspectives on Human Enhancement Rev. Dr Brendan McCarthy - English
Panel Discussion
Human Enhancement from the Orthodox point of view Dr Stavros Baloyannis - English
Philosophy and Theology - Pros and Cons Achievable Human Being? - Ethical Assessments and Implicit Images of Humanity from a Theological Perspective Prof Dr Ulrich Körtner - English
Individual and Social Ethics - Medical Perspective Enhancement in Theological Ethical Perspective Prof Dr Stephanie Schardien - English
The Human Body as cultural Playground with emphasis on the Female Body Prof Marianne Springer-Kremser - English
Case Studies Human Enhancement: Moral, Religious and Ethical Aspects from a European perspective Dr Henriette Krug - English
Human Enhancement: Summary of the CEC Bioethics Working Group 2009 discussion Dr. Donald Bruce - English
27 April 2012
Closing lecture on contextualisation Prof Dr Peter Dabrock - English
If you wish to be informed of the outcomes of the consultation, please send an e-mail to that effect to our Strasbourg office.
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The newly established Preparatory Committee for a Conference on Human Enhancement started its work.
Its Mandate is:
The Preparatory Committee will
1. organise a CSC Conference on Human Enhancement in 2012. It should identify key issues for the agenda and for follow-up and identify the rights participants from member churches.
2. establish the future CSC agenda in the field of Science and Technology, especially on Bioethics and Biotechnology, and appropriate ways for CSC to address them.
3. comment on developments on Bioethics and Biotechnology and to make recommendations to member churches
4. develop common positions of churches towards the European Institutions on Bioethics and Biotechnology
5. develop the CSC online library on issues related to Bioethics and Biotechnology
The Preparatory Committee developed the concept of a Conference on “Human Enhancement: Moral, Religious, and Ethical Aspects from a European Perspective”, taking place from 25 - 27 April 2012 in Brussels.
Its members are:
Dr. Theo BOER - Protestant Church in the Netherlands Prof. Dr. Stavros BALOYANNIS - Orthodox Church of Greece Dr. Andrea DÖRRIES - Protestant Church in Germany Prof. Dr. Ulrich KÖRTNER - Protestant Church – AC - in Austria Prof. Dr. Karsten LEHMKÜHLER - Union of Protestant Churches in Alsace and Lorraine – France Rev. Dr. Brendam McCARTHY - Church of England Ms Miriam SZURMAN - Lutheran Church in Poland
The Committee is served by: Ms Maria POMAZKOVA- Administrative Secretary Rev. Richard FISCHER - Executive Secretary
Euthanasia - Report, February 2004 Responding to a debate within the Council of Europe, this report provided CEC member churches reflections on euthanasia. It suggested regulations to be sought to help protecting crucial values. It also stressed the need to assist those suffering and those responsible for their support.
Human Enhancement – A Discussion Document, March 2010 ‘Human Enhancement’ is about trying to make changes to minds and bodies – characteristics, abilities, emotions and capacities – beyond what we regard today as normal. Across a range of scientific disciplines, discoveries and developments nowadays make the idea of significantly modifying the human body no longer mere science fiction. The CSC offers a Discussion Document on Human Enhancement, prepared by its Working Group on Bioethics and Biotechnology.
Comments on the Draft Working Paper On a Quality and Safety Legal Framework on the Donation, Procurement, Testing, Transport, Preservation, Transplantation and Characterisation of Human Organs - June 2008 CSC welcomes the European Commission initiative aimed at developing a Quality and Safety Legal Framework for Organ Transplantation. Christian faith includes as a central feature “love for one's neighbour” and the expression of this may lead well to a freely chosen sacrifice...
More CSC documents in the archives (see the link below).
Bioethics documents from CEC's constituency
The following are contributions from CEC member churches, associated organisations, theologians etc, on Bioethics and Biotechnology. We make these documents available with the hope of encouraging other contributions thus allowing everyone to benefit from ideas, reflections and positions within the CEC constituency.
Economia in the Orthodox tradition In the Eastern Orthodox tradition and in the teaching of the Church Fathers which undergirds the theology of those Churches, economy or oeconomy (Greek economia ) has several meanings
Ethische Überlegungen zur Forschung mit menschlichen Embryonalen Stammzellen Wenn es um den Umgang mit menschlichen Embryonen und um die Forschung mit den daraus hergestellten menschlichen Embryonalen Stammzellen geht, dann werden grundlegende Fragen christlicher, gesellschaftlicher und staatlicher Verantwortung berührt.
Ethics, Science and Technology A contribution by Prof. Ulrich Körtner, Institute for Systematic Theology in Vienna Member of the Church and Society Commission and the Network on Bioethics of CEC
Gentechnik Argumentationshilfe Beschluss der zweiten (ordentlichen) Tagung der 15. Landessynode der Evangelischen Kirche von Westfalen vom 31. Oktober bis zum 3. November 2005 in Bielefeld
Ist das Leben heilig? Karsten Lehmkühler, Intergruppe Bioethik des EU-Parlaments, Strasbourg, 18. Januar 2007.
Application of Genetic Tests in Clinical Practice - Ethical and social aspects Genetic tests have expanded the possibilities of diagnostics dramatically. It is to be expected that their relevance will further increase in the future...
Ethische Aspekte der Nanotechnologie Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen, Eine Stellungnahme der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Umweltbeauftragten in der EKD (AGU)
Some selected comments on the draft working papers A. on a quality and safety legal framework on donation, procurement, testing, transport, preservation, transplantation and characterisation of human organs B. on an action plan on organ donation and transplantation (2009-2015)
Ethische Überlegungen zum Umgang mit der Präimplantationsdiagnostik Aufgrund eines Beschlusses der Landessynode der Evangelischen Kirche von Westfalen (EKvW) setzte die Kirchenleitung der EKvW im Jahr 2001 die Arbeitsgruppe „Ethische Fragen der Gentechnik“ ein. Dieses Gremium besteht aus Angehörigen verschiedener Berufsgruppen und Fachrichtungen...
Plants for the Future Plants have a unique role for the existence of all heterotrophic organisms including human population. For sustainable development it is indispensable to stop the loss of biodiversity connected with climate changes and anthropogenic activities.
Theosis in the Orthodox tradition Theosis (lit. "ingodded," "becoming god," deification) in the Eastern Orthodox tradition is a vision of human potential for perfection, anticipated in ancient Greece, witnessed to in both the Old and New Testaments, and developed by Patristic Christian theologians of the first five centuries after Christ...
Life Before Birth A Lecture given to the Anglican and English speaking community by Richard Fischer, Executive Secretary, Church & Society Commission of CEC.
