the spiritual climate on campus c h r i s t i a n u n i o n : : t h e m a g a z i n e
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H A RVA R D | On Campus
Genomic Engineering Concerns
LEADERSHIP CONNECTION ROUNDTABLE ENGAGES LOCAL FACULTY By Catherine Elvy , Staff Writer
The Leadership Connection recently hosted a series of discussions for faculty in Cambridge , Massachusetts on ethical , spiritual , and scientific concerns in genomic engineering .
“ When scholars from the world ’ s elite educational institutions meet to exchange personal and professional information and experiences , the table is set for a remarkable reflection space that is available in virtually no other venue ,” said Dave Thom , president of The Leadership Connection and chaplain at Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
The Leadership Connection reaches out to Harvard University and MIT professors via its Cambridge Roundtable on Science , Art , and Religion sessions . The non-profit organization hosts rich discussions over dinners held at the faculty clubs for Harvard and MIT . Typically , about half of participants are professed Christians , said Thom .
The scholars especially enjoy meeting “ people from different disciplines from different schools ,” said Thom .
The Leadership Connection held the kickoff dinner for its fall series on September 21 , and subsequently hosted a series of 10 smaller roundtable dinners to explore further the implications of genetic engineering .
“ A lack of certainty exists in the greater American population about the best approach to the ethics of genetic engineering , even among devout Christians ,” Thom said .
More than 100 faculty members
The Leadership Connection , led by Dave Thom , hosted a series of discussions at the Harvard Club for faculty in the Cambridge community on ethical , spiritual , and scientific concerns in genomic engineering .
from Harvard and MIT , as well as some local pastors , took part in the series , which delved into scientific technologies that allow the manipulation of genetic material to modify hereditary traits .
During the cornerstone event at the Harvard Faculty Club , famed geneticist George Church and adult stem cell research leader James Sherley established the groundwork for the series entitled Genomic Engineering : What will it take to stay human and define what it means to be human ?
During his turns with the microphone , scientist , physician , and vocal embryonic stem-cell research opponent Sherley expressed a strong commitment to treating embryos with respect . In 2010 , the Harvard alumnus made headlines as a plaintiff in a suit against the U . S . Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health challenging federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research .
“ Every individual should be respected as an individual when not able to consent for themselves ,” said Sherley , also the founder of Asymmetrex ( previously known as the Adult Stem Cell Technology Center ).
“ We don ’ t sacrifice for someone else in the future or present . There is no justification for government , societies , or funding agencies saying it is OK to destroy one to save others .”
Sherley , Harvard ’ 80 , serves as director of Asymmetrex , which seeks to advance adult stem-cell technologies for applications in drug discovery and cellular medicine .
The former MIT professor paused to emphasize how scientists should occasionally step back from their projects to consider the broader , ethical picture of their research . The integration of scientific developments does not take place in isolation , and scientists often need to coordinate with professionals from other spheres , he said .
“ We have to get the public to understand we ’ re not the final word ,” said Sherley , a former Princeton University postdoctoral fellow . “ It ’ s one