Is man nothing more than a machine? According to some researchers in the field of biotechnology, this is indeed the case. To them, the human body is a machine to be tinkered with, rebuilt and recreated into a newer, more improved model. There is no doubt that mankind has benefited from some tinkering in the past. Man has the ability to repair the human body with organ transplants. Man has discovered the usefulness of implanting devices such as pace-makers, to improve and enhance our body's own functional capabilities. Many of these advances have indeed been beneficial taken as a whole. But there is something else looming ominously on the horizon. As the mystery of human genetics is being unraveled, many believe that the key to unlock the door to immortality is finally within man's reach. Biotechnology is rapidly pro-pelling mankind into the future at a terrifying speed. What is about to happen, will test the very foundations of human morality, ethics, and more importantly, our Christian faith.

A multitude of businesses, academic institutions and government agencies are already scrambling to get control of the emerging markets of opportunity being created by the mapping of the human genome, and the next phase, protein research (proteomics). Computer giant IBM and Canadian biotech firm, MDS Proteomics have announced a joint project. Blueprint Worldwide' which would create a free global clearinghouse for accessing an enormous database of genetic research. Other companies, like Celera Genomics in Rockville, Maryland, sell access to genetic research databases. (2) Selling access to genetic information is the wave of the future. In fact, many believe that the economic future of tech companies born in the Information Age of the 20th century, looks even brighter in the Biotech Age of the 21st century. To the world-at-large, knowledge is power. But will this knowledge be used to the benefit of humanity as a whole, or just to the economic benefit of a few?

It is obvious that economics is the driving force behind much of the research being conducted on the human gene pool. It becomes glaringly obvious when you realize that by the end of the year 2000, there were more than 25,000 DNA-based patents on file. (3) These patents are held by companies, academic institutions and government agencies alike. Each is intent on guarding the information gleaned from genetic research, while propagandizing of their benevolence toward humanity in their intent. Dr. Robert Cook-Deegan, director of the National Cancer Policy Board and the National Academy of Sciences Commission on Life Sciences has stated, that by keeping DNA research a secret, information essential to the discovery of potential treatments for diseases will be held back from those that need it. (4)

Fears have also been expressed by many in the biotech field about the misuse of genetic research data-bases, especially in the area of personal genetic testing. Some are concerned about the accuracy of any current tests. The Human Genome map has revealed that only 5 percent of diseases are caused by any single gene. (5) Any attempt at genetic diagnosing of disease is premature, inaccurate and possibly dangerous. More than 25 states currently have laws in place against the use of genetic testing. Nell Holtzman, director of genetics and public policy studies at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, has stated that, "It's a terrible problem when you realize there are companies out there that are marketing tests whose predictive values are not very accurate or valid, and to discriminate on those bases is doubly wrong.” (6)

Many people believe that genetic discrimination is already being practiced. According to a report issued by the National Institutes of Health on genetic discrimination, "Too many Americans fear that their genetic information will be used to discriminate against them and too often they are right." (7) Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, has admitted that “while genetic information can be beneficial in treating inherited diseases, it can also be misused by insurance companies and employers.” (8)

Is genetic discrimination really happening today? Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad company for allegedly conducting DNA testing of its workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, a job-related affliction. The tests were targeting a genetic disorder that allegedly produces a disease that mimics carpal tunnel syndrome. The railroad company was searching for genetic proof that its employees were not suffering from job-related injuries, but from an Inherited disease. When the federal government stepped in, the company stopped

the testing. (9)

Many people are looking to the federal government for help in grappling with the moral and ethical dilemmas that lie directly ahead of us. For instance, should the government, allow employers and health insurers to protect themselves from risk by allowing some forms of genetic discrimination? Should human cloning be allowed? Should the government allow people to tamper with DNA so as to permanently alter the make-up of future generations (germline therapy)? Should the government allow parents the right to genetically engineer and select their offspring? Should the government allow parent(s) the right to let their embryonic offspring be used for genetic research which in turn destroys that human embryo? As the federal government enters the moral and ethical labyrinth of human genetics regulation, which they must do, others stand poised to move ahead with this research. Michael West, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts is ready to move ahead with human cloning by creating tiny human embryos using eggs from human donors. West maintains that these embryos will not be allowed to grow up as identical genetic twins of their donors. Instead, these embryos will be destroyed as their stem cells are harvested. "Our goal is to demonstrate that we can create transplantable cells and tissues via cloning", says West.(10) Brain stem cells will grow and form all other types of cells in the body, such heart, liver, skin, etc. West's goal is to give an individual power to regenerate himself or herself through the use of their own embryonic stem cells as a "fountain of youth".

Dr. West has been searching for ways to overcome aging and death for over 20 years. In his quest. West launched Geron Corp., in Memo Park. California. (11) It was at Geron, in the fall of 1998, that scientists first extracted embryonic stem cells from aborted human fetuses. (12) It was at Geron, that scientists discovered a substance, telomerase. Scientists at Geron have theorized, that if telomerase is injected into embryonic stem cells, the generated cells will live forever.' (13) Can any man save himself from the consequences of sin-death? (Romans 6:23)

Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, admitted struggling over how far scientists should go in their search to know how humans function. Last year, at a Christian-oriented bioethics conference near Chicago, Collins stated that "the dignity of the human being should not be compromised by what about human beings would be interesting to explore." (14) Collins is worried that the public in general, is operating under the false assumption that any human problem can be fixed by tinkering with DNA. This theory, known as 'genetic determinism', is being propagated on a world that is struggling to find the answers to all of its problems. Collins stated that, "We are being thought of as machines, that we are DNA and that is all. That is not the conclusion I draw. Science is not going to render free, will obsolete. It will not shed light on what it means to love someone.'" (15) Nor will man's sinful nature be explained away by pointing to genetics as the culprit, or the cure. Jesus said of the end-times:

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matthew 24:12

As man strives for immortality, that elusive tree of life, should he do so on the broken bodies of aborted fetuses, and human clones used as replacement parts for those of us who have been allowed to be born? Soon, we will be forced to answer these questions, each and every one of us. Soon, we will undoubtedly be offered these hi-tech "genetic therapies", for our ailments, possibly even as we stand on death's door, if the Lord tarries. Our actions will be determined by our personal faith. It is faith that purifies our hearts (Acts15:9).

The consequences of our actions will be very personal as well. It could be that the Lord has allowed mankind to progress to this place in time, to once again test the hearts of men. as He did in the days of Noah. Long ago Jesus gave us this warning:

"Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17: 32-33

Although we may prolong human life, we cannot achieve immortality through our own efforts. We cannot save ourselves. As in the days of Noah, the way of salvation has been set before us. We know that,

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:27-28

We have to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation. We must look to Jesus as the "author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12:2 He will return.

"Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

1- IBM Partners On Free Scientific Database, CNET News.com, May 30, 2001.

2- IBM Partners On Free Scientific Database, CNET News.com, May 30, 2001.

3- Why Is Your DNA Their Secret?, Wired.com/news/technology, July 13, 2001.

4- Why Is Your DNA Their Secret?, wired.com/news/technology, July 13, 2001.

5- The Debate Over Tell-Tale Genes wired, corn/news /technology, February 14, 2001.

6- The Debate Over Tell-Tale Genes, wired.com/news/technology, February 14, 2001.

7- Fear Of A Genetic Underclass, wired.corn/news/technology, October 24, 2000.

8- The Debate Over Tell-Tale Genes, wired, corn/news / technology, February 14, 2001.

9- The Debate Over Tell-Tale Genes, wired, corn /news / technology, February 14, 2001.

10- Human Embryo Cloning Experiment Involves Ethicists and Bodyguards, Antonio Regalado, July 13, 2001, The Wall Street Journal

11- Happy Birthday a Hundredfold!, Gunjan Sinha, Popular Science, January 2000, pgs. 52, 54

12- Happy Birthday a Hundredfold!, Gunjan Sinha, Popular Science, January 2000, pgs. 52, 54

13- When God and Genes Mixed Well, Kristen Phllipkoski,  Wired News, January, 8, 2001

14- Where's God In The Machine?, Jordan Lite, Wired News, July 24, 2000.

15- Where's God In The Machine?, Jordan Lite, Wired News, July 24, 2000.