Playing God? Synthetic biology as a theological and ethical challenge

2009/10/08 by Peter Dabrock · 2 citations
Neuroscience · Physics and Astronomy · #Biology #Computational biology #Environmental ethics #Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations #Order (exchange) #Philosophy #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Synthetic biology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s11693-009-9028-5

openalex publication_date 2009/10/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

In the ethical debate over synthetic biology the formula "playing god" is widely used in order to attack this new branch of biotechnology. The article analyses, contextualizes and criticises this usage with respect to the theological concepts of creation, sin and humans as created in the image of God. Against the background of these theological understandings an ethical corridor of how to responsibly cope with the societal challenges of synthetic biology is presented.

Citations

• Letters and Papers from Prison

Cited by

• Genetic engineering [wikipedia]
• Genetically modified organism [wikipedia]

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