The continuous and constantly accelerated introduction of advanced new
    technologies allowing an unprecedented variety of radically novel
    applications is inundating our social and private life. One important
    species of these technological breakthroughs is biotechnology and
    concerns a vital aspect of our scientific knowledge of the biological
    world and its inner laws. As such, it inevitably poses itself as a
    challenge to religion which may be seen as either a more pronounced
    version of the old antagonism between science and religious belief or
    rather as a radically new conflict. The most controversial area of
    applied biotechnology concerns human germline modification and
    enhancement beyond mere therapy, sometimes referred to as the "new
    eugenics", as well as human cloning.
    Biotechnology is quite different from purely scientific speculation for
    the sake of knowledge only as well as from mere invention of tools. It
    embodies a new type of merging science and technology that we may
    call "techno-science", being a search for new theories that,
    simultaneously, carry within them the demand for their own application
    via advanced instruments. At the same time, we are witnessing certain
    accommodating moves or outright rejections of certain aspects of
    biotechnology on the side of religion.
    Papers are welcome for a special theme issue of the /European Legacy/
    that will seek to delineate, analyze and discuss the current stage of
    the relationship between religion and biotechnology and the impact of
    all sorts of human genetic engineering on traditional theological
    attitudes to life and the notion of the human person. The special issue
    is expected to present as many religious positions as possible and offer
    a representative array of themes and methodological approaches,
    encompassing discussions in epistemological, ethical, historical or
    socio-political terms.
    SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 31, 2010
    To submit an article for this Special issue please contact:
    Dr. Byron Kaldis
    Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion
    The Hellenic Open University
    bkald@eap.gr <mailto:bkald@eap.gr>