1. How does biotechnology affect the world/ society?

Through the increase of scientific innovations, the planet inevitably follows with
environmental setbacks. Through the increase in products, comes a larger number of factories,
which directly impacts the world’s carbon footprint. This creates a negative impact on the
pollution and overall health of human-beings. However, delving deeper into the positives of
innovation on the planet, there are several evident pros. This includes the benefits of the health of
mankind. Amputees are able to live a high-functioning life due to the prosthetics that enable their
abilities. Medicines are able to cure the sick and give them the potential at resuming a healthy
lifestyle. Consequences with this are also possible. An unintended result leaves room for error,
which may create several other problems. For example, Thalidomide was a medicine that was
produced and sold as a popular drug in the late 1950s and early 1960s (Kim and Scialli). Its
initial intentions involved creating relief from nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. However
faulty testing and a lack of precision in biochemical scientists arose severe congenital
malformations and other defects in children born of a mother who consistently used thalidomide.
This was due to accidental production of enantiomers in a racemic mixture. An enantiomer is a
molecular term that focuses on a mirrored image of a compound that results in a differentiated
effect than the intended compound. Though thalidomide was banned in 1961 in most countries, it
is still used for patients with myeloma and leprosy. This issue with the continued use of
thalidomide however is the lack of scientific information and surveillance in rural countries/
communities. Pregnant women with myeloma or leprosy continue to use their prescribed
medicine, unknowingly causing severe birth defects in their child.
Though innovation has created an overall positive impact on the world today,
understanding the consequences of a slight molecular disruption is crucial in the safety of
humanity moving forward with science. Again, several positives are included in the innovation
of science and technology. Such instances are especially shown in the impact of prosthetic
devices or transplants. Such success stories are prevalent in lives such as tilly’s, a young girl with
bionic arms after losing them due to meningococcal septicemia strain b. Her full story is in the
following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDb0xiYdKeg. Stories like Tilly’s are ones
that are especially important when considering the positive effects of scientific innovation.

2. How does our faith play a role in biotechnology?

 Our faith directly affects how innovation proceeds in the processes of science. Faith
would solve several of the ethical issues in innovation, which is part of the foundation that lies
upon the innovative misconduct. Despite opposing views on fetal arrangements and altercations,
God ultimately created us to create. With this said, the Bible has certain standpoints that block
our abilities to progress too far. According to the Bible, the moral law is crossed once we are
actively attempting to become as powerful as God. Though this could never scientifically be
attained, the intentions of doing so will be stopped by God. This was shown in the Old
Testament, where God describes the Tower of Babel, and where it went too far. For those
unfamiliar with the Tower of Babel, this was a tower built with intentions to reach Heaven, and
see the world from God’s perspective. In simple terms, according to Jan Gertz, an author at
bibleodyssey.org, “a symbol of the human ability and propensity to cross boundaries and of
God’s endeavor to halt such behavior.”
[https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/passages/main-articles/tower-of-babel]

3. What is the point of studying this?

As scientific research continues to grow and develop, the rising issue of the safety of
these tools and innovations becomes more prominent in today’s culture. Especially once this
information reaches hospitals, and becomes a method of treatment for patients in need of it. For
instance, if a mother or father is concerned with the possible repercussions of their genetically
passed down illness/ diseases transfering to their child. With these concerns, they may consider
the possibility of gene editing in their children’s DNA. As someone may suffer with the failing
of a liver or other organ, they may contemplate the decision of using a 3D-printed organ to save
their life, when organ donors aren’t an option. In these instances, it can be tempting to turn to the
new inventions by scientists and engineers. However it is important to consider every possibility
in this process, understanding the possibilities of error in the newly released inventions. With this
project, it is helpful to condense several of the most popular methods of innovation into one
source for the easy accessibility of credible sources for patients in distress.

4. How does biotechnology affect those who aren’t Christian?

Biotechnology affects the entirety of the population. Getting sick is inevitable despite the
health of an individual, illnesses continually arise. However the perspective upon the individual
is the changing factor. Those who do not consider the plan of God’s unique creation are at a
higher likelihood of seeing biotechnology such as gene-editing as a further benefit to society and
the continuation of a developing scientific community. However despite the religion of someone,
humans all share a similar moral code. In a survey I conducted on Lutheran High School Junior
and Senior students, almost 90% of those surveyed believed gene-editing to be both unethical
and not biblical. However, our moral code/ ethicality simultaneously changes as our religious
perspectives do. Overall, biotechnology affects all who aren’t Christian as well as those who are,
but differ in the aspects of their moral code in how far they are willing to take these scientific
advancements before it becomes transhumanism.

5. Is there innovation in religion?

In religion, there shouldn’t be innovation. This affects the views of biotechnology as the
moral code of religion. If this is shifting, then the views towards biotechnology ay also shift. As
certain religions grow, they also develop in changing perspectives. It is important to ue the
CHirstian BIble as the foundation of moral code, and avoid interpretation that is shaped around
the modern view of all things including biotechnology. The biblical standpoint on biotechnology
can be guided upon Genesis 11:1-9, or the story of the Tower of Babel. In this story, God sees his
people attempting to build a tower to reach God. He scattered languages to prohibit people from
doing so. God did this because people were trying to play God. They wanted to have the same
power as him. If we begin playing with the uniqueness of humanity through the alteration of
DNA, then this would be essentially playing the same game.

6. Has the world’s biotechnology strayed from the ability to become religious?
In the sense that scientists stray further from God’s protection and closer to man-made
medicines, it may start to feel like we are the highest intelligent beings. It grows easier to forget
the creator of the universe, that specifically created us as human beings to be able to create and
help ourselves. However the issue arises as individuals believe their own abilities to be God-like,
editing DNA to create or alter a living organism, and solve issues of the world that seem most
prevalent. However God solves the problems we don't see coming. He ultimately is the one that
gives us the ability to think up such technological advancements, especially in the scientific
world. So, while atheistic scientists see their own abilities and discoveries as higher than the
biblical explanations of the world, this may stray from their ability to become religious, with the
information they believe is correct. With this, in the broad perspective of the entirety of the
world, those who are not in easy access to these medicines are at a higher likelihood to put their
faith in God rather than medicines. It is ultimately a leap of faith in the understanding that we
weren’t evolved from other animals, and rather God created us as human beings in a definite
form. The world’s biotechnology is a product of God’s work, though a shallow perspective sees
it as human intelligence. God has given human-kind the ability to use biotechnology for the
benefits of our own health and quality of life. While it has not made society stray from the ability
to become religious, it is important to understand and resort back to the deeper meaning behind
our own abilities. As described in the article, Salvation for Algorithm, “The assertion that
religion is a tool for organizing human societies may vex those for whom it represents first and
foremost a spiritual path,” (Harari).

7. What is biotechnology?
According to NTNU.edu, “Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems,
living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products.” This definition includes
DNA profiling or cloning, transgenesis, genome analysis, and tissue and stem cells engineering
(Modern Biotechnology). The most commonly used form of biotechnology is referred to as
medical biotechnology, however there are also forms of biotechnology concerning agricultural,
environmental, and industrial.

8. What are types of biotechnology?

As mentioned in the question above, biotechnology includes DNA profiling or cloning,
transgenesis, genome analysis, and tissue and stem cells engineering in the recent scientific
experimentations (Modern Biotechnology). However biotechnology can be on a large spectrum,
and involves certain vaccines such as for the influenza virus, hepatitis B virus, human
immunodeficiency virus, and several more viruses and diseases. As these vaccines interact with
one’s DNA to use immune cells and alter their abilities, this also classifies it as biotechnology,
since it interacts with biological processes.

9. What are the major forms of biotechnology prevalent in our society today?
 In this project, I focus on the recent findings and experimentations with gene-editing,
which seems to be the most prevalent issue that also interacts with moral or biblical code.
However, some of the major forms prevalent in society today is the overall topic of DNA
technology, medicine such as antibiotics and vaccines, and DNA profiling in forensics. Overall,
biotechnology is commonly associated with the medical usage of it. However the agricultural,
industrial, and environmental biotechnology are also common usages of the term. DNA
technology is the broad term used for any type of biotechnology that uses the DNA of a living
substance to create a separate product, or use it towards a specific purpose. DNA profiling is
used to distinguish the exact identity of fingerprints found at a crime scene, which has been a
useful tool to make the detective at the scene able to identify the criminal in a timely fashion.

10. What does the future of biotechnology look like?

It is likely the path of biotechnology will become a more common road to follow, as long
as the continuation of scientific research and experimentation advances. According to an
interview I conducted with Mr. Paul Blomenber, the Honors Organic Chemistry teacher at
Lutheran High School, he explained his research in the progression of biotechnology, and also
explained its relativity to God’s plan. As God gave humans freewill, the only thing we can do in
opposition to him is say we want to go to Hell. This is Mr. Blomenberg’s perspective, however
the views are shifted upon the angle one looks at it from. If we see the story with the Tower of
Babel, it shows that also trying to be God is in opposition to him, or doing anything that isn’t in
the name of him. So, how does this have to do with the future of biotechnology? Biotechnology
is directly relative to the moral code we hold as humans. If humans don't feel it is morally correct
to move forward in biotechnology, the progression of it will diminish. Even if people don't hold
Christian values, most hold their moral code up to a Christian-based doctrine, even if they don’t
label it as such.

11. How can biotechnology help our faith?

Not just biotechnology, but most things can help our faith if it is perceived in the correct
context. Especially biotechnology, as it can help us to understand the complexity of God’s
creation. During this project, I frequently found myself questioning the possibility that is
contained in a single strand of DNA. When introduced to this level of perceiving the universe, it
can oftentimes be easier to conceptualize existence as an accidental mystery. However, as one's
faith in God grows and their understanding of biotechnology increases, they might recognize that
the only logical way of explaining the universe is through a higher, more intelligent being.
Studying biotechnology can demonstrate to an individual that God's existence is shown in every
aspect of life. Only his unfathomable intelligence is able to create such precise sciences.

12. What does the Bible say about biotechnology?

In an interview done with Mr. Paul Blomenberg, the assistant principal and Organic
Chemistry teacher at Lutheran High School, he shared an interesting perspective on this
particular question. Blomenberg explained that as God is the creator of the universe, he is
inevitably better at understanding and applying biochemistry into the world. As we attempt to
understand the complexity of DNA, it is ultimately a risky manner to be dealt with. As science
advances it is important to draw a line of experimentation once it becomes something dangerous
rather than beneficial to the health and well-being of society. Blomenberg iterated the fact that
science and scripture equate replicating or understanding with creating. In explanation, as
science and technology advances, there are certain things that we were never exactly meant to
understand. The creation of the universe, from a Christian perspective, is one that was made by
an intelligent designer, which takes a leap of faith to believe. This is what scripture teaches us.
However, it is also important to understand that God created us to create, and gave us the ability
and wisdom to be able to figure out the workings of the Earth and near universe. Ultimately
however, we will never be able to also replicate the universe as a whole. While modern
technology has given us the tools to modify DNA, is this something that should be left to God?
Scripture shows that science and technology can be used for both good and evil. Is DNA
modification too complex and controversial to possibly be used for good? It is a matter of
opinion, on whether one believes that DNA modification and biotechnology allows life to be at a
higher quality by curing diseases, might it also be the cure to genetically passed cancers.
In guided conversations about this topic, the idea came up that suggested the inevitable
factor of considering the privileges shared amongst the rich in this aspect, and how the line
between equality would become thicker as DNA modification and biotechnology arises in our
culture. As the BIble commands us to believe, all lives shall be treated equally, as brothers and
sisters under Christ. If one has the opportunity to remove a disease from their DNA, does that
create a further division between those who may or may not be able to afford the process? It is
also to be considered that prohibiting the process may also be against God’s plan, in the sense
that we are not allowing the creation and wisdom created by God’s intricately designed humans
to cure life-threatening diseases. The answer to this question is ultimately the fact that history has
pointed to the rich vs poor war for centuries. Though expensive innovations may arise, this
should not prohibit the incline of scientific creations.

13. Is biotechnology safe physically?

There are several forms of biotechnology. Technically, all medicines are considered
biotechnology. It is a line to be crossed between medicine and poison, and that is the dosage.
Putting oneself in a life or death situation, the common path is to take the risk despite the
possible repercussions. When considering this situation, it is either death or biotechnology. As
explained in an article covering the danger of biotechnology, “Scientists are responsible for
careful preparation of recombinant organisms involved in research or product development.
Agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture are
responsible for monitoring the release and application of these organisms,” (Reiners). It is
ultimately up to the professionality of the scientist or doctor once the research has become
established regarding CRISPR. If we are given the tools to be physically saved in our Earthly
bodies, this would be the answer to the prayer of good health. Delving deeper into the topic of
gene-editing, a medical first was recently conducted upon a little girl’s name. Layla’s cancer was
cured after a doctor's response that her Leukemia was otherwise untreatable. Scientists use
gene-editing to modify immune cells to further enable them to destroy the fatal malignant blood
cells in her body.

14. Is biotechnology the way of the future?

As several stories are arising of the success stories from the CRISPR machine and the
incline of biotechnology as scientists use it as a cure for debilitating diseases, it is likely that
biotechnology is the way of the future. However in the definition used of biotechnology prior,
this term also includes medicines, which we don’t often correlate to the complex term that has so
many subparts. In recent news however, biotechnology has been on the controversial rise of
gene-editing, attempting to answer whether the process is ethical or not. It is difficult to decipher
the topic as good or evil, as doing so would also question the innovation of science as a whole.
The coronavirus also created a large increase of the frantic development in creating a vaccine.
Vaccines are known to require approximately 5-10 years to be made and approved by the CDC.
Once the coronavirus outbreak occurred, the vaccine was created and approved in a matter of
months. This shows the scientific development of new-found knowledge and experimentations
that will continue to develop. According to the University of Wisconsin Applied Biotechnology
Program Team, “This steady rise will continue for the foreseeable future, with projections for it
to reach $2.44 trillion by 2028 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 15.83 percent.”
Maintaining the direction of the world’s scientific innovation as of now, biotechnology seems to
be on the rise as a whole. Several more scientific experimentations arise for the new way of the
future, and as the continually developing culture expands, sources such as phys.org are helpful
sources to keep up to date. The website information is found on the works cited page
(Biotechnology New- Biology News).

15. What are the benefits of innovation/ biotechnology?

Biotechnology has shown clear benefits in the cure of disease. As God has called us to
create, it is important we do so. Working together in God’s kingdom means helping one another
to get through the obstacle and battler life gives us. As diseases such as cancer, bacterial
infections, viruses, and more overtake the “normal” way of life, we inevitable seek to feel the
sense of normality through a cure for such diseases, and rightfully so. As discussed on the page
CRISPR, of the “Faithful Innovation” website, it is clear to see the lives this may change.

16. Is it ethical/ biblical to genetically modify a fetus’ DNA?

According to a survey sent to Junior and Senior students at Lutheran High School, an
overwhelming majority 87.2% of students believed it is unethical and unbiblical to genetically
modify a fetus’ DNA. However, as the students surveyed have primarily attended Chisitian
schools during the entirety of their academic careers, it is important to emphasize the students
who have a larger variety of opinions. Most students that shared their positive outlook on DNA
viewed science as the main contender. One student stated: “If we had knowledge that the baby had
a disease that would make their day to day life extremely difficult or life threatening then we would
edit the DNA.” This perspective is common amongst the students that shared the positive outlook on
biotechnology. However one student from the survey stood out to me in particular, as she had a
negative outlook, but not entirely driven by Christian views. This student states, “I don’t think it is our
place to be messing with DNA and human attributes. It seems like the start of some major issues
beyond just changing DNA into people getting rid of kids that don’t meet the new expected
standards.” I further discussed this topic with the student, to understand what they meant by “new
expected standards”. The perspective was one that I hadn’t heard after several interviews and
extensive research. This student believes that repercussions would arise from the standards created
through gene editing. They accentuated the battle for the poor to use the medicines that are already
existing. The student acknowledged those who wouldn’t be able to afford the gene-editing treatment,
and explained how this may cause a rise in abortion rates as a result. In conclusion, from a societal
hierarchy perspective, gene-editing would be the rapid decline of equality, however from a
health-concerned and innovative standpoint, it would be the cure to several diseases that are making
the population as a whole decline.

17. Is the CRISPR machine against God’s plan?

Referring to Genesis 11:1-9, the Tower of Babel is a biblical story in which the people of
Earth worked towards building a tower that would help them reach God, or see the world from
his perspective. As it grew taller, God destroyed the tower, as it was against his plan for the
human’s of Earth. He scattered languages across the world in order to prevent humanity from
collectively containing so much power again. With manipulating an individual's DNA, this
process comes close to God, if not fully replicating it. However it is also similar to the
technology of vaccines, which introduces a virus’ DNA into the body’s cells, which the DNA is
able to then replicate. CRISPR works in a similar fashion, which manipulates the DNA to
familiarize the DNA with a certain bacteria, or prevent it from mutating. With this, the only issue
that would arise from CRISPR is the power that is held within it. If scientists and hospitals draw
a line that states health as a priority and the illegality of using it for cosmetic purposes, this
would not be against God’s plan as it is just another form of medicine.

18. Is it necessary to stop biotechnology?

When referring to question 17, as it is not against moral or biblical principles to use
CRISPR and biotechnology towards a medical benefit, it is also not necessary to stop it.
 19. Does God promote biotechnology?
Ultimately despite the controversy with the Tower of Babel and us trying to be God, He
ultimately created humankind to be able to create and benefit one another. Biotechnology has
created some of the most beneficial medicines for life saving technologies, which has ultimately
benefited humanity to be able to fulfill more of God’s plan.

20. How might the Tower of Babel relate to recent biotechnology?

The Tower of Babel was destroyed because God saw it was against the plan he
developed. As biotechnology and especially gene-editing technology may relate to this in a
similar fashion, since it is engineering the way the human body functions, this may coincide with
God’s plan as did the Tower of Babel.

21. Has biotechnology and life-saving technology been proven as safe?

As with a story from Layla Richards, she had an extremely debilitating form of Leukemia
which, after 9 months of conventional treatments that didn’t work, had a death date set at a
specific time. However once she was able to get genetic engineering completed, her Leukemia
completely went away, and she has been cured from it to this day. However some research comes
out that explains the possible dangers in gene-editing technology, that removing one mutative
gene might also substitute it for another. For instance, removing Leukemia from the body might
also replace it with breast cancer, which has been shown in scientific experiments with animals.
So the answer, yes and no as of recent findings and modern technologies. However as science
continually develops, the percentage of error will significantly decrease, as have most medicines
in the past.

22. Is it more morally correct to let an individual die or to save them with biotechnology?
When considering God’s plan, the answer might be to just let them into the hand of God.
However it seems more morally incorrect to allow someone to die if there are ulterior ways of a
cure. It's ultimately an answer that depends on one's perspective. As for me, I think it is incorrect
to let someone die before experimenting with all possible ways of treatment.
 23. What is CRISPR?
CRISPR is an acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
This explains the biochemical structure of how our immune system is able to function, however
scientists have manipulated its structure to be able to fulfill different roles in the human cell.

24. Are biomedical engineers trying to be God?

Referring back to the Tower of Babel, no, they are not trying to be God, however it
comes into the specific of their study where it may become tricky. When manipulating DNA, this
may be an issue with the possibility of trying to mimic God’s plan, and create it ourselves.
However as science and medicine advances, this is not an issue of biomedical engineers
themselves, but the moral code of humanity and how far they are willing to take it.

25. Where should the line be drawn for biotechnology to satisfy our faith?
With the development of biotechnology, it may satisfy our faith in the sense that it helps
us to live to our fullest potential, and fulfill God’s plan.