On Thu, 1 Jul 2004 6:45am, Mary Anne wrote:
>>  If we can breed
>>  plants in which the concentration of problematic substances is lower,
>>  why not do so?
>>
>     Because it would bring us back to a religious discussion.
>     Basically, we would be playing God because we don't think God did
> it
> right the first time around (make it a little "g", if you prefer) -
> *whenever* that was.

I'm not a believer, but I think the theology of the Abrahamic religions
says that we live in a *fallen* world in which things are *not* as God
wanted them.  This is why, if a baby is born with a congenital health
problem, we are not only permitted to try to correct it but have a
positive moral responsibility to do so.  The consequences of the Fall
pervade the created order and that's why there is disease, disaster,
etc.  Breeding or designing a better spud is not theologically different
from breeding better cattle, and I don't think anyone says *that* is
theologically unsound.

Todd Moody
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