The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.—Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)
In the 1860s, Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk, systematically conducted experiments in a monastery garden, cross-fertilizing thousands of pea plants to illuminate the laws of genetic inheritance. This lone “father of genetics” laid the groundwork for the international Human Genome Project, which from 1990 to 2003 deciphered and mapped human DNA, the instruction manual for human characteristics. Today, in every field of study, technological innovations are yielding remarkable findings that ignite newer questions and creative innovations—as well as ethical and social considerations. At Upper House, science, technology, ethics, and Christian faith meet in wonder. We ponder emerging knowledge and its implications; and we acknowledge the Maker of all things, whose intricate works are so finely wrought that awe, praise, and honor are appropriate responses.
