Human genome moves closer to reality

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Genome diversity alarms

The excellent Human Genome Diversity Project needs better planning and a pilot project.

"Playing God" and invoking a perspective

The article sorts through some uses of the phrase "playing God," finding that the phrase does not so much state a principle as invoke a perspective, a perspective from which scientific and technological innovations are assessed. It suggests the relevance of a perspective in which "God" is taken seriously and "play" playfully.

"Playing God" and germline intervention

The phrase "playing God" so popular with journalists takes on a serious meaning in the debate over germline genetic intervention. While guarding against the dangers of human pride implied in the phrase "playing God," special attention is given here to the Christian concept of the human being as created in the divine image, the imago dei. Human beings are dubbed "created co-creators." In this light ethical arguments proscribing germline intervention are examined and refuted, leaving the door open for creative responsibility on the part of the present generation for our future progeny.