Article June 3, 1985 Issue

Does man create?

CAROLYN F. RUFFIN

Most of us who read this magazine probably aren't directly involved in making decisions about biological engineering. And even fewer of us are working on the sophisticated experiments in "gene splicing" to produce new or stronger organisms. So does it matter to us what guidelines govern these experiments?

We should be grateful for the humanitarian motives of concerned natural scientists who are working on an ethical code to help protect humanity from any ill effects of these experiments. But beyond that, is there anything we could or should do?

Until a few months ago I would have said, "Not much—well—except pray, of course." But then I began reading about a debate over a decision to conduct gene-splicing experiments outside the laboratory. I was both angry and frightened about what I'd read. So much so that I felt very helpless in the face of those scientists and researchers who might, even from the best of motives, do something that could let loose some awful plague on the earth.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Does man create?

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access