BRCA - Statement of Support: World Council of Churches - Justice, Diakonia and Responsibility for Creation Program

May 12, 2009

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity. The WCC brings together 349 churches, denominations and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world, representing over 560 million Christians and including most of the world's Orthodox churches, scores of Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches, as well as many United and Independent churches.

"The World Council of Churches is opposed to the buying and selling of human body parts. This includes the patenting of human genes. The dignity of the human person is irreconcilable with any commodification of human life. Human life is commodified when its value is weighed against another value. This is what happens when human life is patented. Such patenting gives power over human life to specific human beings that cannot be justified. Life ultimately belongs to God. The patenting of human life is in opposition to this conviction."

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(From "Genetic, Agriculture and Human Life," document from the Justice, Peace and Creation Team, approved by WCC Executive Committee Porto Alegre, Brazil, General Assembly Feb. 2006)