Major Christian Medical Conference Addresses Ethical Dilemmas

On Saturday 2nd October 2004, the two major Christian medical associations in the UK - the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) and Christians in Science - hosted a one-day conference at the St. Paul's Church, Robert Adam Street, London.

The conference will carry the theme "Technologies of the Future" aimed to examine the moral dilemmas faced by Christian health professionals as scientific knowledge advances at a skyrocketing speed in this century. Especially some of the recent hot topics such as Euthanasia, Stem Cell Research and Abortion, have caused debates among faith groups, human rights campaigners as well as medical professionals all over the world.

Leading Christian scientists and doctors gave presentations at the conference. They are all working at the cutting edge of the industry and are earnestly seeking to apply their Christian faith to these controversial issues. Professor Andrew Briggs, from Oxford University, and Professor Ross McKenzie, from the University of Queensland, both experts in nanotechnology; have given addresses on their specialised aspects. John Bryant, Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Exeter spoke on the topic "Which direction for the New Genetics?". Dr Robert Song also gave a Theological Contribution in conclusion of all the discussions.

Stem cell research and human cloning became the spotlight of the conference as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in Britain granted the first licence in Europe allowing experts at the University of Newcastle to perform therapeutic cloning using human embryos in August.

Peter Saunders, General Secretary of the CMF said in his concluding speech, "We now have the ability not only to take human life but also to remake human life. Advances in scientific knowledge and technology are bringing a whole host of new issues to the fore which will have a huge impact on our personal and professional decision-making."

Scientific advancement nowadays allow humans to easily create new life according to their desire. While some medical professionals boast about that the honourable achievement can help to tackle sicknesses that cause pain to human beings, some others see this as a challenges to God the sole Creator of the Universe. In late August, the Pope warned that the speedy progress in science and technology had tempted people to become arrogant, thus they tend to overlook moral values.

The conference has proven to have provided many insights to Christian health professionals, however, it has been hard to find out a definite answer to the dilemmas in all these medical issues.

Saunders further explained, "How do you answer a parent who desperately wants to cure their terminally ill child and believes the only hope of a cure is through the cloning of human embryos? Our patients have higher expectations and this, together with financial and resource constraints and the loss of a moral consensus, is creating a minefield of ethical conflicts for Christian health professionals."