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Most Rev. George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, says human cloning is far too risky.
“Boy, is this going to be an exciting week! I’m seeing the Archbishop of Canterbury on Friday and participating in my first Press Conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday! I’m sure going to need a lot of prayer.” I was talking to my good friend Louise about my upcoming schedule and asking for prayer support to handle both opportunities with grace.
The Most Rev. George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury was coming to visit Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry as part of its 25th Anniversary Celebration, and I had the opportunity to be there. In addition the National Pro-Life Religious Council was holding a press conference to urge the Senate to pass the ban on cloning currently awaiting hearings in the Senate.
Both events were very important to me, and I was anxious to represent NOEL and all who support life and family in an effective way. I was worrying about what to say in my brief two-minute statement at the press conference, when the idea struck me, “What if I ask the Archbishop what he thinks of cloning? Maybe I could include his comment in my statement.” Brilliant idea we decided, but then we wondered, would the Archbishop support cloning or be clueless about it? We’d just have to wait and see and PRAY!
Friday finally arrived; it was sunny and very windy. Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry was a hubbub of activity and everyone was filled with joy, celebrating 25 years of God’s faithfulness (If you’ve never heard about Trinity, visit their website www.tesm.edu. It’s a great place.). Archbishop Carey was outside at lunch, meeting and greeting people, so with the help of my dear husband nudging me along, I walked up to him and introduced myself!
I told him I was curious to know what he thought about cloning. I was delighted when his eyes lit up and with that typical English accent of authority, replied, “Cloning is far to risky.” My heart skipped a beat! What a great quote! He went on to say that he was well aware of the need to help those suffering from various diseases that cloning is supposed to cure, but he felt that is was far too risky for man to have the power to create life. I was impressed with his obvious interest and knowledge on the issue of cloning and his concern for humanity’s ability to handle the ethical issues that are inherent with cloning. I was pleased when he added that he thought everyone should be doing more to encourage research on adult stem cells, which he acknowledged were already providing cures for certain diseases.
Well, I had my quote and more! I never imagined years ago when I became an Episcopalian, that one-day I’d meet the Archbishop, but I’m truly grateful that I had the opportunity and that he spoke a life-affirming message. Four days later, in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club, the National Pro-life Religious Council (NPRC) held its first Press Conference. Representatives from Catholic, Evangelical, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant church traditions gathered together, representing more than 30 million churchgoers nationwide. Unfortunately, only seven members of the press showed up, but it was a great opportunity to get the experience of participating in a press conference with others who are much more experienced in handling the media. I read the following statement:
Hi, I am Georgette Forney, Executive Director of the National Organization of Episcopalians for Life (NOEL). We are a para-church organization of the Episcopal Church with a membership of over 2 million people. In our sacrament of baptism, we promise to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Throughout our liturgical year we have the opportunity to re-new these vows and live them out through our actions. I have spoken with our church leaders and laity throughout this country and I have found a consistent witness among them to respect life at every stage of development. It is clear that our members find cloning incompatible with our Baptismal vows and want all cloning banned.
I also recently had the opportunity to talk with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rev. George L. Carey about cloning. He told me that he felt cloning was quote “far too risky.” During our conversation it was apparent that he understood cloning and had carefully considered it’s implications. We shared a common concern for those suffering but agreed that there was a grave danger in individuals or corporations patenting life when therapies using adult stem cells have proven to successfully treat patients.
Cloning promises cures for innumerable disease, the end to all suffering. But the truth is, man will never end suffering, we may hope to prevent juvenile diabetes, but we will never be able to prevent violence, abuse, and loss, they sadly exist as part of life.
Also we must question where will cloning lead us? Five books have recently been published that discuss the future of biotechnology and the goal of cloning research to create defective free human beings, a genetically engineered super human race.
Cloning establishes the power for man to own and possess the key to life. Knowing man’s inherent desire to do good and yet man’s equally inherent selfish nature, as the Archbishop says, makes cloning far to risky for us to pursue.
As members of the Christian Communion, Episcopalians acknowledge God as the Creator of life. We see the key to life not as deciphering a genetic code but having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that guarantees eternal life for all who believe.
After the press conference was over I headed home and later learned that the Washington Times ran an article about it and Janet Parshall replayed the all the statements made by members of the NPRC during her radio show, also all the Senators got copies of our statements calling for a complete ban of all cloning.
Cloning is a terribly important issue that will ultimately affect the future of mankind. As I look back now on those two different events, I realize we must all take some risks to make the most of opportunities presented to us, but there are also some things like life, that are to precious to risk.
