Unravelling DNA: Applying Christian Values to a Genetic Age

We are living through a genetic revolution that is affecting fundamental aspects of our beliefs, values and daily lives. Genetics has the power to change the nature of what it is to be human. This novel technology affects our family life, the way societies function, the nature of our planet and even how we see ourselves. From discovering our ancestry, to genetic selection of our partners and children, through our healthcare, justice systems, the food on our plates, access to jobs, insurance and education, and including the existential threat to our planet, genetics is having a transformative impact.

These advances in DNA science are progressing at a breathtaking rate, providing both dramatic benefits and some serious societal consequences. The advances, often combined with advances in artificial intelligence, raise complex ethical, personal and societal issues. Yet despite the implications, few of us understand the science or appreciate the deep consequences, benefits and risks for our collective future. This book aimed at non-experts describes in everyday language the full scope of the rapid advances in genetics but goes further by providing readers with the confidence and tools to form opinions and make decisions.

Founded on Christian values, the book explores how genetic advances will affect four vital areas of relationships: with self, family, society and the world we live in. The "relationship test" is valuable because relationships are: a) a fundamental part of being human and thus universally relevant; b) the vehicle by which, in the image and likeness of God, we love others; c) able to accommodate future advances, extending the relevance and shelf life of the book. This focus on relationships ensures the book remains rooted in the sorts of practical challenges we all face in this new "genetic age".

There are a number of features that are aimed to enable non-experts to understand the importance of this area of science:

• • Provides informed and trustworthy information and opinion based on the author's international experience in genetics research.
  • Covers the full range of genetic advances while rooting the science in applications to everyday life.
  • Provides a Christian framework which encourages thought, reflection and decision-making based on clearly presented principles and values.
  • Provides a flexible approach which is able to accommodate future advances in genetics thus extending the shelf-life of the book.
  • Uses accessible concepts and language, together with illustrations drawn from popular media coverage (in films, news stories, popular culture, history, etc), common life experiences and my career as a leading scientist internationally.
  • Enables personal decision-making and promotes collective Church engagement to shape the future applications of genetics globally.

If you are interested in how a Christian can live and contribute effectively in the genetic age, or just want to understand what this all means now and for the future, this book is the answer.

Chris Wild is a scientist with forty years' experience studying the genetic and environmental causes of cancer. He has a PhD from the University of Manchester, UK. He was formerly Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds (1996-2008) and a senior scientist at the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France (1987-1996).In 2009 he was appointed IARC Director, working closely with Heads of State, Royalty, Government Ministers, international organizations, leading scientists worldwide and many other partners to influence global cancer control policy. Upon retirement in 2018 he was made IARC Emeritus Director in recognition of his achievements. He has been the recipient of a number of awards for his scientific work. He is known for having developed the concept of the "exposome" to complement the genome in studies of human disease.Dr Wild has a long-standing interest in the interface between science and the Christian faith. He has spoken to church communities and given seminars on the challenges, benefits and risks of genetic advances from a Christian perspective. He recently published an article in the Church Times entitled: "A Theology of Embryology Needed" (31/01/2025)