Resolution Number: | 2003-A012 |
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Title: | Adopt Guidelines for Genetic Testing and Reproductive Technology |
Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
Final Text: |
Resolved, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm that children are entrusted to us as gifts from God to be nurtured toward maturity. Therefore:
- Genetic testing of children can be an important part of parental responsibility, and may be carried out if it is clearly in the child's best interests to be tested;
- Treatment for genetic diseases and the use of somatic gene transfer therapies may be used if they are proven safe and effective;
- New genetic techniques may be used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization to avoid procreation of human beings with clearly serious disorders of their DNA or chromosomes;
- It is not morally acceptable to use reproductive cloning, and it is therefore morally irresponsible for physicians, scientists, and prospective parents to engage in it.
Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 209. |
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Legislative History
Author: | The Executive Council: Ethics and the New Genetics Task Force |
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Originating House: | House of Deputies |
Originating Committee: | Committee on Social and Urban Affairs |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #11 on Resolution A012 (Caring for Children in the Face of the New Genetics) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A012)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm the church's traditional teaching about parenting and that children are trusts and gifts from God to be nurtured toward maturity. Therefore:
- Genetic testing of children can be an important part of parental responsibility, and may be carried out if it is clearly in the child's best interests to be tested.
- Parents should make responsible use of medical services, including treatment for genetic diseases and the use of somatic gene transfer therapies if they should be proven safe and effective.
- New genetic techniques may be used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization to avoid procreation of human beings with clearly serious disorders of their DNA or chromosomes.
- It is not morally acceptable to use reproductive cloning at this time for any reason, because the technique constitutes an unsafe form of experimentation on children. It is therefore morally irresponsible for physicians, scientists, and prospective parents to engage in it.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General
Convention reaffirm the church's traditional teaching about parenting
and that children are trusts and entrusted to us as gifts from God to be nurtured toward maturity.
Therefore:
- Genetic testing of children can be an important part of parental responsibility, and may be carried out if it is clearly in the child's best interests to be tested.
Parents should make responsible use of medical services, includingTreatment for genetic diseases and the use of somatic gene transfer therapies may be used if theyshould beare proven safe and effective.- New genetic techniques may be used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization to avoid procreation of human beings with clearly serious disorders of their DNA or chromosomes.
- It is not morally acceptable to use reproductive cloning
at this time for any reason, because the technique constitutes an unsafe form of experimentation on children. Itand it is therefore morally irresponsible for physicians, scientists, and prospective parents to engage in it.
Deputy McGarry of Michigan moved an amendment to the resolution.
Proposed Amendment:
Insert the words "at this time" after the word "cloning."
Deputy Simons of Pittsburgh moved to terminate debate on the McGarry amendment and on the main motion.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the McGarry amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
A vote was taken on Resolution A012 as amended.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #108)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #4 on HD Message #108 on Resolution A012 (Caring for Children in the Face of the New Genetics) and moved concurrence.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #148)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 5.
Report Reference: | Executive Council: Ethics and the New Genetics Task Force, Reports to the 74th General Convention, 2003, pp. 63-69. |
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Abstract: | The 74th General Convention adopts guidelines regarding testing children for genetic diseases and for using new genetic techniques for the purpose of procreation. |