Most people, at some level, are willing to assert that we have the right to alter nature. Here we have the potential to totally design and prepackage a human child. A danger we need to consider is that by making those decisions that up until now, only God has made, we may end up distorting the human species. As a Christian, I have to say no, that there are some things we may know how to do, but we must not do. If you look at genetically-linked diseases such as cystic fibrosis, there is a gene there which seems to protect the body from cholera.
Sickle cell does the same thing with malaria.
Though a small percentage of people die, it seems these are precautions that God has put into place to ensure the human race goes on. Christian scientists and laymen alike will be asking themselves that same type of question in the days ahead. Gushee emphasizes that Christians, as a whole, must respond. But an overall reaction of happiness and excitement is too naive. Christians must understand that a major threshold has been crossed - one that will raise all kinds of moral issues over the next 25 years, and we need to take them one by one.