NEW STUDY ON ETHICS OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

(March 9, 2000) The National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) has
announced the publication of an important study on agricultural
biotechnology. Entitled “Questioning the Promise: Critical Reflections on
Agricultural Biotechnology from the Perspective of Catholic Teaching”, this
study was specially produced for NCRLC and currently available for $8 (plus
postage/mailing).

In this reflective study, Brother Keith Douglass Warner, OFM, raises moral
and ethical questions in respect to agricultural biotechnology. Brother
Keith is a Franciscan friar and doctoral student in environmental studies at
the University of California-Santa Cruz. His scholarly work challenges the
dynamic actions in today’s business world which has rapidly moved a biotech
possibility in seed genetics to commercial crop practice without raising the
ethical question, “Should this be done?”

The promotional campaigns of food processing companies and large agribusiness
firms continue to inform the public that biotechnology has great promise.
Their main argument is that biotechnology is urgently needed to feed an
ever-growing hungry world population. But religious and ethical communities
and concerned eaters have a right to ask: What is the promise? Is it real?
Are we swallowing too great of a health and environmental risk?

The critical issues relative to agricultural biotechnology are discussed in
Brother Keith Warner’s study from the vantage point of Catholic social
teaching. Although developed along the moral heritage of the Catholic
community, this reflection will interest all thinking people, faith-based or
otherwise.

In thinking along with Brother Keith Warner and the Church, the reader is
invited to question the promise of biotechnology and place genetic
engineering under intense and ethical scrutiny. This scrutiny can assist the
faith community and its members as they adopt a moral posture relative to
agricultural biotechnology.

For more information and how to order.
Email (ncrlc@aol.com) or call our office in Des Moines, Iowa, at
515-270-2634.