In a series of three lectures, biologist Gayle Woloschak explored what it meant to be human in light of our unfolding knowledge of genetics and what it meant to be part of creation with the power to alter that same creation.
The religion and science conference, held April 5 – 7 at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, unpacked the meaning of sin and salvation in light of human evolution, epigenetics, ecology, personhood, and suffering. Recently science has driven ethics in relationship to technology, specifically in areas such as medicine.
Science alone ultimately cannot answer the question of this century, which according to Woloschak is, “Who are we as the human person?” She looked at the idea of humans from the viewpoint of our evolutionary history, our genes and finally as beings capable of creating and using technology to both prolong life and potentially destroy it.
Using the Genesis story as an example of the correct relationship between humans and nature, Woloschak illustrated how, scripturally the human in naming the creatures in Genesis takes responsibility for nature in a loving way. She said that today, “We are called to repent of the sins we have committed against nature and each other so that we can pursue a new journey with courage and joy, calling all to dedicate themselves to a mission of restoration and renewal of the environment.”
Woloschak is a professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, associate director of the Radiation Oncology Residency Program and associate director of the Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Her scientific interests are in the areas of molecular biology and nanotechnology. She has authored more than 150 scientific papers and has received grants from the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Energy.
In 2012, she also received a degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, specializing in Eastern Christian Studies. She is the former interim director and current associate director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, director of the Epic of Creation course offered at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and member of the editorial board of the Zygon Journal of Religion and Science.
Susan is an author with a long-time interest in religion and science. She currently edits Covalence, the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology’s online magazine. She has written articles in The Lutheran and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science newsletter. Susan is a board member for the Center for Advanced Study of Religion and Science, the supporting organization for the Zygon Center and the Zygon Journal. She also co-wrote Our Bodies Are Selves with Dr. Philip Hefner and Dr. Ann Pederson.
