The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #9 on Resolution A011 (Ethical Guidelines for Gene Transfer and Germline Interventions) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A011)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention recognize that God has entrusted us to use our medical and other capabilities to work toward healing and restoring creation where it has gone awry. Therefore, that the General Convention set forth the following guidelines for genetic research and interventions:

• It is morally acceptable, in principle, to engage in experimental somatic cell human gene transfer for therapeutic purposes, in an effort to treat or prevent disease.
• All experimental genetic interventions in human beings must meet ethical standards of research, which require that investigators demonstrate the scientific merit of their research, protect the health and welfare of human volunteers, while ensuring their voluntary choice to participate.
• Until there is strong scientific evidence that the use of germline procedures is safe, effective, and stable across generations and that guidelines have been established for their use before they are employed, we should not consider the use of germline interventions in human beings.
• Ongoing public oversight of research into both somatic cell and germline interventions, in both the public and private sectors, is essential. Members of a federally appointed interdisciplinary review body should be chosen by publicly accountable methods.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention recognize that God has entrusted us to use our medical and other capabilities to work toward healing and restoring creation where it has gone awry. Therefore, that the General Convention set forth the following guidelines for genetic research and interventions:

• It is morally acceptable, in principle, to engage in experimental somatic cell human gene transfer for therapeutic purposes, in an effort to treat or prevent disease.
• All experimental genetic interventions in human beings must meet ethical standards of research, which require that investigators demonstrate the scientific merit of their research, protect the health and welfare of human volunteers, while ensuring their volunteers' their voluntary choice to participate.
• Until there is strong scientific evidence that the use of germline procedures is safe, effective, and stable across generations and that guidelines have been established for their use before they are employed, we should not consider the use of germline interventions in human beings.
• Ongoing public oversight of research into both somatic cell and germline interventions, in both the public and private sectors, is essential. Members of a federally appointed interdisciplinary review body should be chosen by publicly accountable methods.

Deputy Vanderstar of Washington suggested a rewording of the amendment to read: "without conflicts of interest or undue financial influence." That rewording became the Black amendment on the floor.

A vote was taken on the Black amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution A011 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #106)