Christ Church, St Ives is running a provocatively titled event called "‘cloning around with stem cells’ this Thursday night to reach their community.
Doctor and Christian ethicist Dr Megan Best will deliver the public lecture on human embryo research, stem cells and cloning.
Event organiser and Christ Church member Ann Lancaster has a medical background working as a physiotherapist at Sydney Children's Hospital. She also has a management role in running a service for children with cerebral palsy.
"My work there makes me interested in the area of bioethics. I have investigated it myself in more depth in the last five years," she says.
Mrs Lancaster says the motivation for running this lecture originally came from looking to organise an event that women in the church could bring their friends to.
"We have had lots of gingerbread nights and the like, so in an attempt to run something different we came across this idea," she explains.
"It was in looking for a way to relate to the community that we thought of this. But given how important this issue is, it seemed silly to restrict it to women, so anyone is welcome to join us."
Dr Best will explore crucial issues related to the beginning of life, discussing where life begins and looking at ways human embryos are treated using current technology.
She will examine the biological, philosophical, political and biblical perspectives, using examples from assisted reproduction technologies, embryo research, and non-assisted reproduction.
"We want people to come and learn about this new science and the current ideas about when life begins so they can decide for themselves whether human embryos should be used in research," Mrs Lancaster says.
"We aim for it to be non-threatening lecture followed by questions for anyone to come to."
Dr Best has been involved in medical ethics for over twelve years. She was a foundation member of the Sydney Diocesan Synod Bioethics Committee and has been a member of the Social Issues Executive of the Anglican Church, Sydney Diocese, since 2001.
"Cloning around with stem cells will be held on Thursday September 18 at Christ Church, St Ives from 7:45pm to 9:30pm. For more details call 9488 9855.
