Religiously Metaphysical Arguments Against Agrifood Biotechnology

Abstract

AbstractMetaphysical claims assert categories and categorical systems for the broadest and most general characterizations of reality and experience. The chapter discusses the nature of metaphysical claims and the role of religious or theological doctrines in lending support to them. Early debates over gene technology emphasized metaphysical and religious topics and questioned whether established doctrines in mainstream religious traditions were compatible with applications of genetic engineering. The chapter surveys those debates, with emphasis to their significance for agrifood biotechnologies, and situates them within the context of other technologies that have been alleged to pose religious or metaphysical challenges. Those who write in favor of gene technology from a religious perspective have not based their arguments on metaphysical claims. Hence, religiously metaphysical arguments tend to take a critical stance toward gene technology. However, metaphysical arguments appear to have decreased in frequency and significance since earlier editions of this book.KeywordsPlaying godSanctity of lifeBioethicsIntrinsic objections