For example, the life expectancy for cystic fibrosis has doubled in recent years, along with a vast improvement in quality of life. Genetic selection devalues handicapped people and means channelling funds away from finding new therapies. We must not underplay the considerable physical, financial and psychological cost of raising children with special needs, but the way we treat the most vulnerable members of our community speaks volumes about the sort of society that we are. The use of genetic fingerprinting to identify criminals must be welcomed if it makes it more likely that the guilty are brought to justice and the innocent are exonerated. However, confidential genetic information could also be used by corrupt governments to exploit vulnerable groups - or by employers and insurance companies to discriminate against those with special needs.
Gene patents are another area for concern.
If they are, this will encourage hoarding of intellectual property by those out to make a fast buck. If not, research might suffer. As Bill Clinton has reminded us already, the Human Genome Project is helping us understand the language in which God created life . This same God calls us to be stewards of his creation. The scientific exploration of life, including its genetic foundation, is right and good, but we must ensure we use this new information in ways that glorify him.