Life created in a test tube---big deal or not?

[Miles]

I just finished watching a two-hour show on the History International Channel called, "How Life Began." At the end of the program they talked about the on-going efforts to create life in the laboratory out of organic elements.

My questions to those who believe god created all life is:

• If such an endeavor is successful would the fact that the creation of life is no longer the province of god be of any significance?
  
  What impact, if any, would it have on your faith?

[VermilionUK]

I just finished watching a two-hour show on the History International Channel called, "How Life Began." At the end of the program they talked about the on-going efforts to create life in the laboratory out of organic elements.

My questions to those who believe god created all life is:

• If such an endeavor is successful would the fact that the creation of life is no longer the province of god be of any significance?
  
  What impact, if any, would it have on your faith?

Well, I'm not a believer, but I think your post deserves a response - so here are my thoughts...

I don't think it would have little, if any effect on people's faith if human life were engineered in a lab. Afterall, there have been far greater developments in the past that one would have thought would "shake" faith - the Big Bang theory, evolution etc.


"What impact, if any, would it have on your faith?"

Definition of faith: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence

Evidence is irrelevant in faith, by definition. These people hold a belief in something in the face of evidence to the contrary...so replacing said God with a science lab won't change much for them.

[TheParticlePerson]

Most christians would probably consider it a fairly minor blasphemy; another attempt by humans to act as god.

[Sir Rhetor]

Christians would probably comment that scientists are trying to copy God's wonderful creation.

I don't think there is anything which can convert a hardcore Christian from Christianity. They are dogmatic, which is what they are taught from a young age, which makes this nearly impossible.

[Flashpoint]

I just finished watching a two-hour show on the History International Channel called, "How Life Began." At the end of the program they talked about the on-going efforts to create life in the laboratory out of organic elements.

My questions to those who believe god created all life is:

• If such an endeavor is successful would the fact that the creation of life is no longer the province of god be of any significance?
  
  What impact, if any, would it have on your faith?

I think that the creation of life in a test tube would present a very major hurdle for those creationists who believe that only a god can "breathe" life into a being. Life is a complex chemical reaction, so we will be able to copy it eventually.

[myth-one.com]

I just finished watching a two-hour show on the History International Channel called, "How Life Began." At the end of the program they talked about the on-going efforts to create life in the laboratory out of organic elements.

If life can be created from organic elements under a simulated natural environment, then life is certainly being created under the same or similar natural circumstances somewhere on the earth today -- as well as on an untold number of other planets which have yet to be discovered.

That being the case, "creating" life in the laboratory out of organic elements is more a discovery and verification of how new life is produced in nature. These researchers are discovering the process, but they did not invent the process. They are reproducing the situation and environment under which they believe life originated. If someone created the process which results in life under those lab conditions -- it was not them.

Big deal or not?

Big deal! In my opinion it will be a great discovery, as life should occur under similar situations anywhere in our universe or other universes. Which greatly magnifies the wonders of God's creation.

It cannot happen quick enough to suit me. But prepare for the worse. Once man discovers something new, he will tinker with the process to serve his purposes. Possibly new weapons, new organisms to perform his work, etc. Anyway, bring it on. It's exciting!
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[Sir Rhetor]

If such an endeavor is successful would the fact that the creation of life is no longer the province of god be of any significance?

Even as I am an atheist, I see the significance. It takes one more gap out of the "god of the gaps" science. There would be a huge controversy at first, but it would eventually be accepted, except for fringe groups. Once the Catholic Church accepts it, the controversy's days are numbered.