Bioethics and the Christian Mind: Facing the Facts of Euthanasia and Transgenderism

Cultural shift throughout Europe has led to Judeo-Christian values being jettisoned and a secular humanist worldview and values increasingly imposed. The toxic cocktail of scientific materialism, consumerism, moral relativism and radical autonomy has opened the lid of a Pandora’s box of new biotechnologies including artificial reproduction, pre-implantation diagnosis, embryonic stem cell research, DNA editing, three-parent embryos, and animal-human hybrids. In addition economic recession and demographic shift provide a serious threat to vulnerable people (those who are disabled, elderly, sick or unborn) through legalised euthanasia and abortion whilst there are pressures on Christian healthcare professionals who are forced to conform as part of their ‘public duty’. The rise of the LGBT lobby, and in particular the transgender movement, have added to these challenges. These threats will increase in the coming decade. This talk provides a biblical framework for a Christian response on these complex issues and outline principles of engagement through dialogue and advocacy.