{"id":13357,"date":"2012-01-22T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-01-22T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reasons.org\/publications\/a-theology-for-synthetic-biology-part-1-(of-2)\/"},"modified":"2012-01-22T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2012-01-22T11:00:00","slug":"a-theology-for-synthetic-biology-part-1-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reasons.org\/christianity\/beliefs-values\/a-theology-for-synthetic-biology-part-1-of-2","title":{"rendered":"A Theology for Synthetic Biology, Part 1 (of 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s just a matter of time before synthetic biologists create artificial life in the lab.<\/p>\n

This endeavor causes many Christians concern and raises a number of important philosophical and theological questions. It has become apparent to me that there is a need for a theology for synthetic biology. Part 1 of this series provides an introduction to synthetic biology and a brief status report about its progress, and also addresses key philosophical concerns. Part 2 proposes a theology for synthetic biology derived from Genesis 1:26\u201331 and applies it to the most important questions raised by this emerging discipline.<\/i><\/p>\n

Should humans play God?<\/p>\n

This question has become more poignant in the last few years as biochemists, molecular biologists, and origin-of-life researchers make significant strides in their quest to create life in the lab. Attempts to produce artificial life fall under the purview of a new discipline called synthetic biology<\/a>, a fusion of engineering and the life sciences.<\/p>\n

One of synthetic biology\u2019s goals is the design and manufacture of nonnatural life-forms\u2014man-made constructs\u2014unlike anything found in nature. Typically, those interested in creating these artificial organisms focus on engineering novel microbes (bacteria, yeast, etc.) or producing protocells<\/a>, chemical supersystems that assume many, if not all, of the properties of life.<\/p>\n

Among other benefits, these man-made life-forms could potentially provide huge technological advantages. Researchers envision synthetic microbes and protocells as bioreactors that could use inexpensive raw materials and solar energy to generate extremely valuable materials, like biomedicines, vaccines, biofuels, bioplastics, etc. These novel life-forms could also be used to clean up contaminants from the environment and find use in agricultural applications.<\/p>\n

Despite such exciting possibilities, the creation of artificial life raises questions, some of a practical nature and others of a more philosophical and theological orientation. <\/p>\n