As the world of biotechnology continues to develop, people of faith can wonder what if anything Christianity has to say about emerging technologies. Participants in this course will study new discoveries and developments, reflect on their implications, and share their reflections with their peers as they learn to articulate their own perspectives on biotechnologies. The course will explore topics such as gene editing, genetic engineering, and genetically modified seeds, and will be facilitated by Canadian Council of Churches staff Dr. Michael Buttrey with guests from the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group (FLSRG). 

Course Requirements

The course will be online only, with 90 minute synchronous Zoom meetings each week for five weeks supplemented by asynchronous materials on the ChurchX platform. Students will need internet access, a microphone and webcam, and about 4 hours a week to devote to the class including the weekly zoom meeting.

Learning Goals

1.      Learners will be able to select which issues are the most pressing for their faith perspective, practice, or community.

2.      Learners will be able to identify and compare different perspectives Christians have on their chosen issue.

3.      Learners will be equipped to advocate for a perspective on their chosen issue and generalize their learning to other issues.

Contact

For more information on the course, contact the facilitator, Dr. Michael Buttrey, at buttrey@councilofchurches.ca

For more on the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group, visit: https://councilofchurches.ca/biotechnology/