Michael Place

Genetic engineering will preserve human dignity as long as genetic scientists respect nature and use their knowledge to serve humanity, claims Michael Place in the following viewpoint. The God-given gifts of reason and creativity have led human beings to genomic knowledge so that they might alleviate human suffering, maintains Place. As long as scientists do not succumb to the sins of pride and greed in their use of genomic knowledge, he argues, the dignity of humanity will be preserved. Place, a priest, is president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Place, what is the harrowing task before all who will be touched by genomic technology?
2. What position in the created order do human beings hold as a result of the gifts they have been given, in...