PU Micah's Mission
DA March 15, 2006

HD A response to 'Does God Oppose the Precautionary Principle?'

UR http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/christian_principles_and_pp.
060315.htm

CM In {RPR #28}, a writer argued that God opposes the precautionary
principle if it deters humans from modifying plants with genetic
engineering. Here a writer offers a different view of the theology of
genetic engineering and the precautionary principle.

AU By Jill McElheney

[Introduction: In {Rachel's Precaution Reporter #28}, {a writer
argued} that God favors humans modifying plants with genetic
engineering. In this view, applying the precautionary principle to
genetically modified foods would be a theological error. Here a reader
responds.]

God, the one of Christianity, invites us to "come, let us reason
together" and "taste and see that the Lord is good."

The Bible is an advocate of Love and Goodness often stating this is
how God defines Himself. The writer of the little essay proclaiming
genetically modified food may solve world hunger is going out on a
limb to label this as loving and good. Every perfect gift comes from
above, but can be perverted through lust of profits.

Evenly distributing what is available, better known as sharing, is
what the Scriptures advocate. The earth has always been bountiful
enough. It is a good earth from a good God. Greed is a result of the
fallen world, and its consequences is a toxic harmful environment. I
believe this is why there will be a new earth according to prophesy of
the Bible.

Genetically modified food will not change corrupt governments or
unethical business practices to all of sudden become upright and care
for the starving. We cannot have a heaven on earth at this time in
history, still Christians work all over the world to share and feed
the hungry in our desire to follow Christ. Would Jesus give mercury
contaminated fish to his followers because it satisfied their hunger?
I tend to think He would scold the mercury polluters who can afford,
and should prevent mercury contamination of the holy temple, which is
the human body. Recorded in Scripture on the occasion that Jesus
became visibly violent was when unjust weights were being used in
commerce at the temple. Now that His Spirit resides in us, we are
still to follow his teachings to use just weights in business.
Precautionary Principle is a just weight.

When we offer prayers of thanks to the Creator at meal times, we are
acknowledging His gifts of the natural world that resulted in our
being nourished to continue His good work. Yet, we don't expect Him to
remove the pesticides that taint our food and cause diseases. He is
not responsible for the bad greedy choices of mankind, but still
working good through them.

Love is not interested in corporate dividends at the expense of
unknown detrimental effects. Love treasures what He most values:
PEOPLE. The free market system has become dangerously muddy in ethics
trampling all over human health just to make an extra buck. I tend to
think our knowledge is spiraling upward everyday as we build this new
Tower of Babel.

Micah's Mission
Ministry to Improve Childhood & Adolescent Health
P.O. Box 275
Winterville, GA 30683
(t) 706.742.7826
(f) 706.543.1799
website: {http://www.arches.uga.edu/~babuice/MICAH/index.htm}

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God." Micah 6:8

{1} http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/rpr28.htm

{2} http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/rpr28.htm

{3} http://www.acton.org/newsletters/environmental/articles/09-17-04_
ballor.html#_ftn2

{4} http://www.arches.uga.edu/%7Ebabuice/MICAH/index.htm