Genetic Modification Second Most Deadly Sin - Vatican.

[Guest guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7287071.stm

 

 

The Vatican has brought up to date the traditional seven deadly sins by adding

seven modern mortal sins it claims are becoming prevalent in what it calls an

era of " unstoppable globalisation " . Those newly risking eternal punishment

include drug pushers, the obscenely wealthy, and scientists who manipulate human

genes.

Environmental pollution

Genetic manipulation

Accumulating excessive wealth

Inflicting poverty

Drug trafficking and consumption

Morally debatable experiments

Violation of fundamental rights of human nature

 

 

GM WATCH daily list

http://www.gmwatch.org

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1.GM and the real seven (even more deadly) sins

2.Genetic modification joins lust on mortal sins list

 

COMMENT from Dr Brian John: The most interesting news today is the decision of

the Vatican to include GM in the list of new " sins.. " Much discussion in the

blogosphere and some newspaper coverage. It's not entirely clear, but this seems

to be more than just a criticism of GM in medical research/therapy etc - GM is

linked with poverty and injustice - so the Vatican does seem to be referring to

crops and food, and to the GM feudalism and exploitation associated with

Monsanto, Syngenta

and assorted other demons. There has been much debate on this in the past, with

some cardinals pushing GM crops and foods and others vehemently opposed.

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4323

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1.21st century temptations: The real seven (even more deadly) sins

By JAMES DELINGPOLE

The Mail on Sunday, 10 March 2008 (extracts only)

 

Did you pop down to your nearest GM crop site with a spray gun full of

weedkiller this morning?

 

Have you made absolutely sure that those funny new neighbours of yours aren't

conducting secret experiments on humans? And if not, why not?

 

Because according to the latest ruling from the Vatican you have been committing

at least two mortal sins.

 

" Genetic modification " and " carrying out experiments on humans " really are on a

new list of seven modern deadly sins announced this week by one of the Pope's

close allies, Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti.

 

The other sins on the list are: polluting the environment; causing social

injustice; causing poverty; becoming obscenely wealth; and taking drugs. The

reason we need a new list, Monsignor Girotti explained, is that the old list

(sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, wrath and pride) - has a " rather

individualistic dimension " .

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2.Genetic modification joins lust on mortal sins list

Daniel Cressey

Great Beyond (Nature science news blog), March 10 2008

http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2008/03/genetic_modification_joins_l\

us.html

 

A senior member of the Vatican has drawn up a new list of mortal sins, and

science features prominently. Not all of science of course, but Catholic

researchers might face some tough choices.

 

In an interview with the Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, senior cleric

Gianfranco Girotti, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary which is in charge of

confession, was asked " What are the new sins in your opinion? " Along with drug

use and social injustice he listed genetic manipulation and experiments on

humans.

 

Girotti also gave a speech on the subject and is quoted in the Times as saying,

" You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbour's

wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable

scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or

compromise embryos. "

 

Here is what the Google translator made of part of Girotti's statement to

L'Osservatore:

 

" There are several areas in which today feel sinful attitudes towards individual

rights and social issues. First, the area of bioethics within which we can not

fail to denounce violations of certain fundamental rights of human nature

through experiments, genetic manipulation, whose outcome is difficult to discern

and control. "

 

Some newspapers appear to have done some creative accounting on this article,

making it into 'seven new deadly sins'. These are " genetic modification,

carrying out experiments on humans, polluting the environment, causing social

injustice, causing poverty, becoming obscenely wealthy and taking drugs were all

mortal sins " in the Daily Telegraph. Down in Australia they are " polluting,

genetic engineering, obscene riches, taking drugs, abortion, pedophilia and

causing social injustice " in the Sydney Morning Herald.

 

While the Vatican has previously been hostile towards certain aspects of

research – such work involving human embryos – Girotti's statement appears

to widen the net and up the stakes. Making these mortal sins, rather than just

lesser, 'venial sins' which don't necessarily condemn you to Hell, could make

things rather more difficult for Catholics working in these areas, or even

working with people who are.

[Guest guest]

And where would the Vatican put " judge not that you be not judged " ?

 

Jane