KAILA WARD | staff writer
For the Common Day of Learning, world-renowned bioethicist Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Ph.D., will speak on the need to preserve human dignity in the area of bioethics.
Christians need a wake-up call. Look at the world around us, what do you see? I see an economy in recession and countries literally being destroyed.
What you may not perceive as dangerous among these other issues is the advancement of technology.
The idea of technology causing fear or dread is interesting to me because I’ve always perceived the word with a positive connotation.
Computers, cell phones and TiVO are now essential aspects of our daily lives. But when does technology become “too much” or go “too far” while humans fail to preserve their dignity?
“The basic issue is how we maintain human dignity in the face of new technologies. Christians can be pro-technology but have also to be pro-human,” Cameron said.
The conflict here lies in the reality that technology is advancing so rapidly that it will soon surpass human capability.
“We will move from taking human life to making and finally faking human life—by design,” Cameron said.
If such ideas become reality, the value of human life will decrease. If a computer is capable of advancing society with its infinite knowledge, why reproduce? There will be no need for education because computers will do the work.
I believe that the Christian community can play a significant role in addressing these issues.
“College students of today will set the tone of the Church of tomorrow,” Cameron said.
New technologies will become key issues in the 21st century. They will dominate the focus of our politics and culture. Coming out of college, our minds are full of fresh questions about these advancements, and we need to ardently pursue answers.
“Bioethics is where we try and resolve how to handle human dignity when it is in debate. Christians have generally ignored these issues,” Cameron said.
According to Cameron, ideas that seem impossible right now are not absurd to presume will occur in the future.
It’s possible that soon we may debate such morally colossal issues as genetically manufactured children.
Let us not allow technology to advance without presenting our beliefs in society. Christians are called to be heard and have a voice. So let’s start talking.
