WCC NEWS: "Faith and Genetics” course will analyse ethical issues

An 11-week “Faith and Genetics” course jointly offered from September to December by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Christian Medical College will share and discuss ethical concerns to ensure that progress in genetics serves humanity holistically and builds public trust.  Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 27 May 2026 The course aims to strengthen and equip faith communities to better participate and contribute in public dialogue. It also aims to enhance scientific understanding of members of faith communities on fundamental concepts in genetics, and explore recent advancements in gene editing technologies. Participants will analyse ethical issues raised by human gene editing and synthetic biology, and discuss faith-informed perspectives on bioethics, dignity, and justice in the context of genetic intervention. They will foster respectful dialogue between science and faith, identifying harmony, tension, and potential integration areas. “Each session of the ten-week course typically began with an expert examining some aspect of relevance to the overall topic,” explained past participant Ken Shortt. “Breaking the topic into separate sessions with each one focused on a specific aspect, made the course material more easily digestible to the participants.” The course will promote an understanding of the societal implications of genetic knowledge, including healthcare disparities, disability ethics, and human rights. Learners will be equipped to engage in informed conversations about genetics from a faith-based perspective within their communities. “This course gave me new information about the continuing changes in technology and how important it is for people of faith to understand both the benefits, but also the challenges of the rapidly growing field of biotechnology,” said a past participant, Kathryn Wellington. “Anyone around the world with a bachelor’s degree or higher can apply for this course by completing an online application and submitting a reference from their church community,” said Dr Michael Buttrey, project officer for Faith and Science, and Canadian Council of Churches staff.   “I highly recommend continuing this valuable program on the science of understanding and resourcefulness,” said past participant Chris Pedersen. “I will suggest this program to anyone interested, along with anything you all create in the future. Your quality of work is impressive and well worth attending your classes whenever you offer them.” WCC/CMC Faith and Genetics Course 2026 Application – Fill out form See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland