MOI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

BAS 301 : RELIGION AND SCIENCE IN AFRICA

MARTIN MURIUNGI
CD/66/16

EXPLAIN THE POSITION OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN REGARDS TO THE USE OF GMO.

Genetic selection of a quality of plant may produce impressive results in terms of yield, but have we
considered the terrain that loses its productive capacity, farmers who no longer have pasture for
their livestock, and water resources that become unusable? And above all, do we ask if and to what
extent we contribute to altering the climate?

The Debate about genetically modified food aid reflects two key moral questions: Who will decide
about the use and availability of these new technologies? And who will benefit from them? Some
individuals and countries seek to reject genetically modified goods. They have major concerns
about health and environmental risks. They also fear that other crops will be affected by genetically
modified seeds, resulting in the loss of some trading partners. We accept their right to assess the
risks and to choose to reject these products as long as lives are not put at risk. . . .
Agricultural products and processes developed over time by indigenous people should not be
patented by outsiders without consent and fair compensation. To ensure that poor countries
can take advantage of new technologies, strategies and programs will be needed to help
transfer these technologies affordably. The driving force in this debate should not be profit or
ideology, but how hunger can be overcome, how poor farmers can be assisted, and how
people participate in the debate and decisions.

Catholic Church in kenya is carrying out a study to determine if GMO foods are harmful to
humans, Archbishop Phillip Anyolo has said.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Archdiocese head said the church will protest the lifting of the ban on
GMOs should it find they are harmful to human health.
“We will not hesitate to oppose anything that is dangerous for human consumption. The Catholic
Church will give its stand on the GMO reintroduction in the country after we conclude the studies
that are already underway,” Anyolo said.

BODY
Views of catholic on genetic engineering In 1999, after two years of discussions, the Vatican's
Pontifical Academy for Life stated that modifying the genes of plants and animals is theologically
acceptable. The Guardian reported that "Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice- president of the pontifical
academy, said: 'We are increasingly encouraged that the advantages of genetic engineering of plants
and animals are greater than the risks. The risks should be carefully followed through openness,
analysis and controls, but without a sense of alarm.' Referring to genetically modified products such
as corn and soya, Sgreccia added: 'We give it a prudent 'yes' We cannot agree with the position of
some groups that say it is against the will of God to meddle with the genetic make-up of plants and
animals.
In 2000 as part of the Great Jubilee Pope John Paul II gave an address concerning agriculture, at
which he said: The "famous words of Genesis entrust the earth to man's use, not abuse. They do not
make man the absolute arbiter of the earth's governance, but the Creator's "co-worker": a
stupendous mission, but one which is also marked by precise boundaries that can never be
transgressed with impunity. This is a principle to be remembered in agricultural production itself,
whenever there is a question of its advance through the application of biotechnologies, which
cannot be evaluated solely on the basis of immediate economic interests. They must be submitted
beforehand to rigorous scientific and ethical examination, to prevent them from becoming
disastrous for human health and the future of the earth.
A 2002 meeting between bishops and scientists in the Philippines concluded that biotechnology
could be an important stepping stone in the struggle against hunger and environmental pollution.
A 2003 symposium gathered by Cardinal Renato T. Martino has examined the use of GMOs in
modern agriculture.The symposium's study argued that the future of humanity is at stake and that
there is no room for the ideological arguments advanced by environmentalists.Velasio De Paolis, a
professor of canon law at the Pontifical Urban University, has said that it was "easy to say no to GM
food if your stomach is full"
In 2008, Fr. Sean McDonagh, an Irish Columban priest and "well-known commentator on
environmental issues", questioned whether hosts from transgenic wheat could ever be approved by
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith because of the Church's strict rules regarding
sacramental bread. He specifically cited canon 924, which stipulates the bread must be wheaten
only, and recently made, so that there is no danger of corruption.
A 2009 study on genetically modified organisms sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
came to a favorable conclusion on GMOs, viewing them as praiseworthy for improving the lives of
the poor.

CONCLUSION
I can conclude that GMO foods are perfectly safe for human and animal consumption.
The only concern one could have is that rich corporations earn money by selling patented seeds.
Selective breeding and selective pollination has been used as long as humanity exists in order to get
improved performance of crops and cows etc. It is a lengthy process whe similar effect much faster.
In booth cases the gene pool of the crop is manipulated.

REFERENCES
The catholic church,Emmanuel Bomobowale,Peter A singer.
The church of england Statement on Genetically modified organism.
Martineu B.FIRST Fruit:the creation of the flavr tomatoeand the birthof biotic food