By combining natural and engineering sciences, synthetic biology aims at constructing and creating new living structures and organisms. This rationale raises fundamental theological, philosophical and anthropological questions, which are discussed in this article. Synthetic biology is neither appropriately characterized as "(original) creation" nor can a self-transformation of man from homo faber to homo creator be observed. Rather, such claims need to be dismantled by the idea of a homo plagiator. Nevertheless. while religious-cultural ideas and formulae are used to support or reject synthetic biology (eg. "playing God", "creating life"), a theological account is necessary in an adequate discussion of this branch of biotechnology. The authors hold that both. The application as well as the refusal of using synthetic biology have to be debated critically. From a theological and anthropological point of view, this technology can be interpreted as a part of the continued creation. Following this stance, man could be regarded as co-operator of God rather than as his "created co-creator".

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik; 2011/3 Kommentare, Studien, Berichte, Dokumentationen, Diskussionen, Rezensionen, Bibliographie (2011)

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Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik

Personen: Ried, Jens Dabrock, Peter

Schlagwörter: Schöpfung Sünde Mensch Biotechniken Theologische Ethik