생명과학연구윤리의 재정립을 제안하며: 기독교생명윤리학적 관점에서

Abstract

Among Christians, according to one perspective, life science is about to lead humanity into a new world order and should be welcomed. According to diametrically opposing perspective, any intrusion of biotechnology into human life is a threat to human standing before God and should be rejected. The very complex context of life science research ethics, in these days, tells us that there is not simple way in which we could get beyond this crude polarization. However, I think that it is clear that neither extreme position can be appropriated. In this study, in order to find an alternative, I claim that we need to see that religion and science as complementary responses to the unknown. But many scientists in recent time, want to push the former out of the picture entirely. Rejecting scientism which has been prevailed in Korean society we, as a flower of Jesus for life, must consider the role of religion in particular and Christianity in public debates on biomedical research integrity and its systems. First, Church should educate the Christian public on various issues of life science that are incompatible to Christian faith. Recently, research ethics in Bio technology in terms of its deepest motivations should not so much appeal to laws, precepts, or principles, as to faithfulness to the formative story of God's action in the world. Second, through the public discussion, theologians and scientists must debate what is ethically permissible and culturally appropriate in view of the practical consequences of our decisions and their ethical justifications in research of life science. In oder to do so, I suggest that due to change of environment of research ethics, we need to reestablish life science research ethics. In this sense, Christians must also show scrupulous honesty in assessing these issues and must not be seen as the reactionary instigators of a new 'science versus religion' conflict. Studying the subject of this article, I recognize that there are many pressing issues for which decisive, passionate, and sacrificial Christian action is required to demonstrate the reality of our concern for human dignity and all the living things.