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I’m writing today from a fascinating conference on faith and genetics, which has brought together top geneticists and religious leaders to discuss the future of medicine. It’s a lot to digest, and I haven’t had enough coffee!
Discussions are centered on new gene editing techniques and complicated efforts to determine how we can use them and how we should use them. The scientific community is already struggling to answer these questions, so one might assume that inviting more opinions into the debate makes things worse. But in fact, there’s palpable excitement in the air. Doctors and ethicists need help, and people of faith may be able to provide it.
I feel very lucky that this important meeting happened to take place in Salt Lake. Even better — there’s another coffee break coming up soon!
FRESH OFF THE PRESS FROM ME
In Salt Lake, researchers and religious leaders heed the call to discuss gene editing
New health care rules will allow more employers to sidestep contraception mandate
TOP RELIGION READS
Fired by ESPN for a racist headline, he’s finding a second chance as a Catholic priest, The Washington Post
To close a monastery, RadioWest Films
Does God believe in Trump? White evangelicals are sticking with their ‘Prince of Lies,’ Newsweek
The perfect Jewish holiday for a rootless 20-something, Julie Zauzmer, The Washington Post
JUST FOR FUN
An agoraphobic photographer travelled the world using only Google Street View, Quartz