Gene therapy
The New Apostolic Church endorses scientific research in accordance with the godly commission: “Fill the earth and subdue it.” The framework of this commission is defined in the Ten Commandments and the gospel of Jesus. This includes unreserved respect for human life in all its diversity.
Due to rapid developments in the field of biotechnology we can only provide an outline of the individual areas as a basis for decision-making.
- The creation or the destruction of human embryos for scientific purposes has to be rejected.
- The production of genetically identical offspring (reproductive cloning) has to be rejected. The production of genetically identical tissue for therapy purposes (therapeutic or research cloning) is likewise rejected if it involves the destruction of embryos.
- Somatic gene therapy is acceptable in principal. The medical risk is of particular consideration here. Interference with the genome of germ cells, which has unforeseen consequences even for future generations, is unethical.
God | The triune God
God is a spiritual, perfect, and completely independent being. He is eternal, without beginning and without end. The one God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we talk about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we are not referring to three different gods, but rather three persons who are the one God.