If we were meant to be perfect, then why doesn't god make us so? Paul says that we should rejoice in our weakness because it gives us reason to want to get closer to God. One might argue that we now have the means to "improve" on God's work, to help those in need lead a more normal and productive life. This is not genetic engineering per se, but genetic therapy. We would be able to remove some unnecessary suffering and give someone a more normal life. Pope John Paul II even says:
             "A strictly therapeutic intervention whose explicit objective is the healing of various maladies such as those stemming from deficiencies in chromosomes will in principle, be considered desirable, provided it is directed to the true promotion of the personal well-being of man and does not infringe on his integrity or worsen his life. Such an intervention, indeed, would fall within the logic of the Christian moral tradition."
             The Catholic Church is against the potential that may occur where genetic engineering goes beyond therapeutic and becomes twisted in its intention. Specifically, those who are weaker -- and therefore cannot speak for themselves as to their needs and wants -- are denied a full and meaningful life. We need to consider the rights of the unborn and the "genetically-inferior" lives that presently exist. Technology has made great advances, but these great advances have also come at a great cost. The first and most obvious concern is for the unborn; they are the weakest and most silent among us. There are several ways in which their dignity can be taken from them: reproduction of tissue for genetic research, cloning, and artificial conception. Secondly, we need to concern ourselves with those who are not genetically advanced enough to be able to compete with this new "perfect" race.
             As human beings, we cannot even agree as to when life begins. Does it begin the moment of conception? Six w...