합성생물학 시대에 신학담론의 위치

Abstract

This article is to articulate the significance of theology engaging with the science, in particular relation with the rise of synthetic biology. First, this deals with what synthetic biology is and the social, political, theological issues caused by the development of new science and technologies. And, it also points out the fact that there is reductive-mechanistic view of human nature and dualism of spirit and flesh in the background behind the emergence of synthetic biology. And, it deals with a history of development of synthetic biology and how it has emerged and researched as one of the significant field of science. As we take this science and technological development seriously, the theological dialogue with the science has become the most important issue, expecially in relation with the life and its politics. Therefore, it projects the potential problems of synthetic biology and attempts a critical dialogue with the science articulating in the public theological discourse and space. In other to engage a meaningful dialogue, it proposes the notion of 'Created Co-Creator' suggested by Philip Hefner, and idea of “Zoe and Bios” by Giorgio Agamben is introduced to begin a new of theological discourse. It suggest that only through the meaningful engagement of theology in a flesh way, can prevent the potential problem of synthetic biology that may have a lasting effect on human life. Therefore, in the time of rapid science-technological development, it is imperative to consider the science/technology as a significant part of theological discourse, and to find the way in which the dialogue between science/technology and theology can be pro-actional strategy to the talk of “life.”