Science and religion should not oppose one another. Mutual respect and an on going dialogue between the two can help achieve a common goal: relieving the suffering of humankind. The banning of research and treatments that use biotechnology would severely hinder the development of treatments that could save lives, and the health of humanity. Speech delivered during "Managing Controversy in Science Food & and Health" at the Global Public Affairs Institute Agriculture, Dublin, Ireland, May 7, 2002.
I don't know a better way to start a fight than to bring up politics or religion.
Of course, my organization like other trade groups in Washington, deal in politics every day, but now we're in a flight over spiritual beliefs, cloning and stem cell research.
As many of you know, the chairs are already tossed and the
tables are turned over--and the fight is well underway. This challenge--this debate--is not new--as we all know, it is science's oldest argument. Scientific breakthroughs can be viewed in many ways:
1) Cures for a sick patient
2) Business opportunities for an industry
3) Or milestones in man's knowledge.
But to some in the religious community, scientific advances are sometimes an act of outrageous hubris that far exceeds mankind's moral boundaries. The one consistent criticism that has been leveled at biotech researchers from some religious leaders is that we are attempting to play "God."
Now with all the publicity about animals being cloned we are accused of playing "Noah." Like it or not, this battle is …
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