My national Geographic

                                By   THEO   LOGIST
Technology is pursued without God, and there is no theological foundation upon which we can see technology or science as a religious vocation. However, applying technology to the real world does have its sociological and religious implications6.
Some people envision genetic engineering as the metaphor of a new age, an age in which man can literally remake himself and his surroundings, this time in his own image according to his own plan. Others see this as a sign that natural evolution is no more, and a new era of "participatory evolution" will arrive. Many religions see genetic engineering as a threat to God's place in the scheme of things. Some feel we have violated nature and even challenged God in our actions. Others feel encouraged to feel more connected with one another and with the universe and God. A few, not particularly religious people, believe genetic engineering is not morally or religiously wrong because any way you slice it, it is still God's DNA72.
                                 Personal Views
                   ---- These views do not imply a systematic survey of all possible
                          positions of view, but represents a valuable sampling of the
                           world's greater religions24.
                                 Scientific
The views of scientists vary, of course, but many - like Physicist Richard Seed- see genetic engineering as a natural extension of man's power to shape nature in constructive ways. Some, like Seed himself, even see a religious dimension to the accumulation of knowledge through science and technology. " God," Seed says," made man in His own image. God intended for man to become one with God. (pauses here) Cloning and the reprogramming of DNA are the first serious steps in becoming one with God."63. Seed is a member of First United Methodist Church, and obviously has some conflicts with his religious denomination.69
                                Judaism
Rabbi Barry Frundel states that Judaism sets virtually all moral discussion on the issue of responsibility. " Who is responsible to whom?" he asks, " What must I do? What must others do? Rights are the derivatives of responsibility, not the other way around24."
When questioned about the relationship between man and the creator (it is considered sacrilegious by Jews to mention the name of the lord), the Rabbi stated, "Judaism views this world as unfinished. Man's task is to use the raw material of this world to bring it closer towards perfection. Genetic material is just as appropriate raw material as anything else. Responsible, ethical research is certainly in keeping with Jewish values, as long as certain types of people are not more desirable, and free will is not going to be diminished24." Jews believe, " Each person (of human parentage) is infinitely valuable, because each person has a soul, and every soul is infinitely precious. Children do not have responsibility, nor do the insane or mentally deficient. In no case at no time does a person lose their infinite value. Upon maturity or return to normal mental capacity, responsibilities are given, or restored. If genetic engineering can preserve life, or improve it, then it should be allowed, for all life- even life with illness- is precious. Our responsibilities to a person never change, though a person's ability to carry out their responsibilities, and therefore, their responsibilities, can change. The task is for us to make it proceed along the most ethical and moral path that we can construct24."
When he was asked about concerns of some religions about abortion, or the destruction of embryos not to be used, he responded, "In terms of the fetus, its status is a protected one but not co-equal with an already functioning human being, i.e., the mother. Therefore, should the fetus pose a physical danger, or a psychological danger, its life would be forfeit. The fetus is not fully human because it cannot live out side of its mother; it is not certain whether a fetus is viable. Also, in Judaism, between conception and birth, the fetus is considered to be fluid, not human. Since the mother is a fully viable person, she must be preserved for certain, at the expense of the fetus if need be24.
"Genetic processes are submicroscopic, and Judaism will often exclude things that are not visible to the human eye from legal consideration. (The judge only judges what he can see.) Therefore, altering the genetic structure of a person, as long as it results in a person, will be unlikely to bring about much opposition. If the genetic engineering is used to deal with infertility, promote health, well-being, or similar concerns, the response is likely to be positive. However, if it is for anti-family or exploitative reasons, it will likely be opposed24.
   He was then asked whether or not he believes a clone would have a soul, or the unique relationship to the lord that a "normal" person has. He answered this by saying, "Identity relates to the soul which exists in a realm beyond the genetic and scientific. It also relates to the qualities of humanhood. Identity is not lost because you are a genetic duplicate of another person, or because there is a clone of you out there. If you have a soul, and are faithful to Him, then you have identity2. The world is in His control24."
It has been assumed, that while not all Jews will have the same views, the majority would agree with Rabbi Frundel.

                                  Christianity
Albert S Moraczewski, a Dominican scholar and pharmacologist, believes genetic engineering is acceptable if it is "subject to moral principles and values which respect and realize in its fullness the dignity of man24."
"Genetic engineering is a very haphazard enterprise," he states, " if it works, don't fix it. We were created in the image of God and His Son. We cannot freely alter what God has so blessed as no other creature on earth has been. Jesus Christ was born a member of our species and by that fact has "consecrated" it. The fact that the Son of God took on personally this human nature has granted to it a consecration which prohibits any substantial genetic alteration that would generate a distinct species or individual whose intellectual and volitional capacities were compromised to the point of not being able to share in the glory of the Resurrected Christ24."
Kevin O'Rourke, a reverend, believes human being are co-creators with God, a view created by the advance of science and connected to the changes in the traditional doctrines of God and creation24.
Reverend Stanley S. Harakas believes, " Research is free, but between discovery and application there should be a filter of moral acceptability24."
There are many different views from a religious group so large. The general view seems to be that while God is in control, Man can experiment and test his hypothesis on animals and other life forms, but when he presumes to know better than God, he oversteps the boundaries between human betterment and pride.
                                 Hinduism
George E.C. Sudarshan, a physicist and a Hindu, has this to say about genetic engineering, " In the Hindu way of life and human nature, the norm is always the highest value, namely, the happiness of living. Happiness and health need no explanation, therefore, it is unhappiness and illness that must be explained. If the body is ill, how is it to be understood? The body is really the expression and artifice of an individual's spirit24.
" Hinduism, being a nontheistic religion, has no notion of blasphemy. A person can say quite bluntly and yet modestly, " I am God." The best in me is not an image or a reflection of the divine. It is divine. I am God. Divinity functions through me. At the highest level of experience there is no difference between God and man. This does not mean that I can raise my hand and part the Red Sea! Neither do I have complete knowledge. But I need not desire to possess all knowledge. Indeed, there are many things we now know which it would be good not to know: examples in technology abound24.
" As a matrix for philosophizing about human nature and genetics, therefore, Hinduism is very different from other religious systems and cultures. The reality of life, the essence, is spiritual. Thus, the key concepts which characterize our lives, all human lives, all living beings in the world are: harmony, devotion, surrender, knowledge, action. In Hinduism there is no basic separation or conflict between religion and science. Their unity is taken for granted. The all is one24."

Each religion has a different view on genetic engineering. They agree in some respects, for example, life is sacred, but they differ in others, for example, what constitutes life? However, the preceding views were of the general ideas of those particular religions. Perhaps your views are different, but the attempt was made by this article to include general religious views and express some non-religious positions as well.