WELL-ENCUMBERED:

The God Effect (Lee M. Silver, April 5, 2004, Newsweek)

Since Darwin, biologists have viewed all living things as variations on a common theme. Indeed, research shows that we human beings share nearly all of our genes with other mammals, and many genes with plants and micro-organisms as well. Yet American conservatives have no problem with the genetic modification of animals and plants because traditional Judeo-Christian doctrine holds that God gives souls only to human beings. Animals and plants are seen as soulless, purely biological entities, to be manipulated as we see fit.

Many left-leaning European intellectuals, in contrast, seem beholden to a different yet equally deep-seated sense of spirituality, one that encompasses all of Mother Nature. There is no other way to explain why so many on the left are so willing to reject all conceivable applications of genetic engineering. Granted, most currently available GM crops provide a benefit to farmers that is invisible to consumers. Granted, large U.S. or multinational corporations have patented much of the current technology (though patents expire after 20 years). And granted, many Europeans are fearful that the dominating influence of American culture could overwhelm the distinctive agriculture and cuisine unique to different European regions (a fear that I share). [...]

While Americans and Europeans wring their hands, Asians benefit from less-cumbersome spiritual beliefs.

The reality, of course, is that Europeans have no cumbersome spiritual beliefs when it comes to human life either, as they demonstrate on the issue of abortion. But liberal democracy is almost completely dependent on the spiritual belief in the dignity of every human. Thank God.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 2, 2004 3:20 PM