Genetic Research and a Biblical Worldview – Part II

World renowned Genetic Epidemiologist, Lisa Canon Albright was a guest on a recent edition of "Calling for Truth." Dr. Albright highlighted both benefits and concerns in the field of genetic research. In part one of this article, those issues were raised and the affirmation was given that human rights must be protected and genetic research must move forward. These affirmations flow primarily from a holistic understanding of the gospel. That dynamic, among others, is fleshed out more specifically in part two below.

A thoroughgoing biblical worldview demands genetic research. While some will always attempt to abuse the knowledge and/or technology and turn that which is good into evil, the fact remains that it glorifies God to engage in scientific endeavor. At least two great reasons compel us to search these things out.

First, there is the issue of general revelation. Because God is the Creator of all things, we affirm His gifts to us. He has put His glory on display in the created universe and He has given us brains to explore that creation that we might glorify Him even more. The understanding that God has revealed Himself to us in creation should cause us to search Him out by all possible means. The Psalmist affirmed: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat (19:1-6)."

At the same time, as we understand more of our makeup and how the body works, we can affirm with the Psalmist, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that, my soul knows right well (Ps. 139:14)." Genetic research demonstrates to us the truth of God's specific revelation that we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made by Him. Seeing and understanding more of that dynamic should move our hearts to praise. God's works are indeed marvelous! It is God who formed us in the womb (Jer. 1:5). We are His workmanship (Eph. 2:10). In fact, Christians are created for good works including research of this nature: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works which He ordained before hand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10)."

Second, there is the issue of essential dignity. Because human beings are created in the image of God, all human beings are important, and all of the human being is important. Evangelical Christians are concerned with the salvation of souls that persons might escape the wrath to come and find joy and peace in Christ forever. At the same time, a person committed to the gospel of grace which brings life in the Name of Christ must not only be concerned with eternal life, but with physical life and quality of life for others. The gospel is holistic in this regard and the love of Christ demands that we demonstrate compassion to others. We are concerned that people be saved; we are concerned that unborn babies not be aborted; we are concerned with ministering to the physical needs of our fellow human beings. The issue may be hunger, poverty, or disease. Genetic research for good falls into this category of concern as particular diseases are potentially eliminated, prevented, or delayed.

When asked about using genetic information for evil, Albright, a scientist with no political ax to grind, was unequivocal in her answer. Genetic research should only be used for good. A woman who called into the radio program asked Albright's opinion on a particular scenario. If it was discovered that an unborn child had a breast cancer gene or even Downs Syndrome, would it be appropriate to use that information to abort the child? The answer of course is "No." First, simply because a child is at risk for a particular disease does not mean that the child will in fact get the disease. The proper response is to raise the child in such a way that other risk factors are minimized. Moreover, even if the condition is already present, such as Downs, it is wrong to take life. Our responsibility is to use that which God has given us for good and not evil.

One of our callers into the program wanted to know about substance abuse (alcoholism) and genetic cause. As a biblical counselor, I have questions about genetic factors and depression. As a Christian, the whole notion of the "gay gene" comes to mind as well. Albright, from a scientific perspective, lumped these things into the category of behavior. She noted that genetic factors play a role in behavior just as genetic factors play a role in appearance, personality, or risk for disease. At the same time, she unequivocally affirmed that other factors are involved as well, including environment, diet, moral values from upbringing, etc. In other words, whether or not one will become an alcoholic (drunkard) is determined by a number of things, not genetics alone. No one gene can be called the alcohol gene. The same holds true for depression and homosexuality.

Further, it is important to remember that when a breast cancer gene is found for example, that gene does not guarantee breast cancer. It simply means that an individual is at a greater risk for breast cancer statistically. In other words, more people with a particular gene or gene mutation got breast cancer than persons without that particular gene or gene mutation. At the same time, Albright affirmed that people have a choice when it comes to behavior. There is no doubt that some people like the taste of alcohol more than others. Alcohol affects some individuals differently than others. When some people taste alcohol, certain chemical reactions take place that give that person a strong desire for alcohol. The solution, according to Albright, and the Scriptures I might add, is choice. If you are predisposed to crave alcohol when you taste it, then don't taste it. People may be predisposed to certain behaviors, but that doesn't mean that those behaviors are guaranteed or unavoidable. Individuals always have a choice and a responsibility. The bottom line is that one cannot blame his or her genes for behavior. Those who look to Christ will find the ability to glorify Him and indeed the joy that follows.

The whole issue of the "gay gene" is of particular interest to Christians. Mohler noted that Diamond referred "to the politicization of so-called 'scientific' research into a supposed genetic basis for homosexuality. Even as the media have largely accepted and trumpeted a genetic link to homosexuality, there is simply no basis in qualified and credible scientific research to back up this claim. 'There are, however, ongoing attempts to convince the public that same-sex attraction is genetically based,' Diamond laments. 'Such attempts are politically motivated by the supposition that the public would be more likely to respond to changes in laws and religious teaching were they to believe that same-sex attraction is genetically determined and unchangeable.'"

In another article, "What about the 'Gay Gene,' an Honest Look at the Evidence," Nov. 11, 2004, Mohler noted, "Back in 1999, clinical neurologists George Rice and George Ebers of Canada's University of Western Ontario reported that they had failed to find a link between male homosexuality and chromosomal region Xq28, a link which had been claimed by other researchers. The Canadian results were supported by work at the University of Chicago which, according to Science, 'does not provide strong support for a linkage.' Rice stated that the cumulative evidence 'would suggest that if there is a linkage it's so weak that it's not important."

I pressed Dr. Albright on this issue. Again, she noted that many factors are involved   in determining one's behavior including environment, moral values, and perhaps genetics. "But," she said, "if someone tells you they have found the 'gay gene,' that's impossible." Note the word "impossible."

At the same time, it could be later discovered that someone may have a genetic predisposition to homosexuality. Yet, we are talking about behavior and thus we are talking about a moral choice. Even Mohler affirms and then warns that "Conservative Christians believe that homosexual behavior is sinful, not because of scientific evidence or the absence of a biological basis, but because the Bible is so clear in its condemnation of all homosexual acts, and even of homosexual desire (Romans 1: 27). The Rice and Ebers study [as well as Albright's research] does reveal the weakness of the biological argument put forward by homosexual activists, but evangelicals must be cautious in denying the possibility of any biological factors related to homosexuality."

These issues should not cause the Christian fear. On the contrary, God is the creator of all things and scientific endeavor only helps us to know Him better. At the same time, if genetic or biological factors should be linked to homosexuality in some way, that dynamic would only affirm what the Bible teaches: that human beings are totally depraved. Total Depravity does not mean that human beings are as sinful as they could be. Rather, it means that human beings have been infected and affected by sin in every aspect of their being, including their genetic makeup. The Psalmist affirms, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me (51:5)." And again, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies (58:3)." Paul says that we are born dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1-3) and that we inherit a sinful nature from our parents (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:21-22). If we inherit a sinful nature from our parents, then genetics are involved.

Every human being is born dead in sin and predisposed to some sins more than others. Homosexuality is no different. The issue lies in the fact that we are commanded to repent of sin and homosexuality is most certainly sin. We cannot overcome sin nor can we repent of sin on our own. That is indeed why we need a Savior: the Lord Jesus Christ. We need Christ to deliver us from sin, Satan, and death. We need to be delivered from sinful thoughts, words, actions, inclinations, feelings, desires, and predispositions. We need Christ.

But oh, what a Savior Christ is! Paul says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:9-11)."

Let the political geneticists debate the "gay gene" or whatever else they want to debate. Let the principled geneticists continue their research that we might see the glory of God on display in an even greater way. Let Christians love science because they love their God. And, let Christians understand the total depravity of human beings that they might not waver in the face of political debate, that they might understand just how devastating the fall was and just how desperate our need is, that they might call upon the Lord who alone has power to save.

[Scroll Down for Part One]