37B-2000 23042000

Date: 23 April 2000

Location: Xian Sheng’s house, Taman Melawati

Table of Contents

(A) Genetic modifications might lead to the emergence of human monsters.
  1. Humanity has reached an advanced stage in medical technology where geneticists can manipulate the DNA in male sperm cells, female egg cells (oocytes), and embryos after fertilisation, to eliminate known hereditary diseases. Xian Sheng commented that while their intentions are commendable, he does not accept these developments.
  2. Xian Sheng maintains that curing hereditary diseases should only be done after the baby is born. He reiterated that genetic modification of germline cells should not occur before birth.
  3. Brother KC Wong asked Xian Sheng why he does not accept genetic modification. Earlier, Xian Sheng had explained that the goal of genetic modification is to eliminate diseases and improve human beings. He pointed out that if geneticists follow this line of reasoning, it could lead to the creation of enhanced humans with three or four arms or legs, as genetic engineering might pave the way for such monstrosities. This, he believes, is wrong.
  4. Xian Sheng advocates for allowing babies to be born with any hereditary diseases they may inherit from their parents and then using medical technologies only after birth to address these diseases. He argues that if genetic modifications are performed before birth, the results will only be known once the baby is born, raising concerns about what happens if these modifications are unsuccessful.
  5. No one is currently aware of the full consequences of failed genetic modifications in babies. However, Xian Sheng asserts that such failures will have consequences and problems, potentially leading to the creation of human monsters.
  6. Xian Sheng reiterates that genetic modification of germline cells must not be accepted, as it could eventually lead to arguments that a human with two heads is better than one. He believes geneticists already possess the capability to achieve such modifications. If we were to consider having four arms and four legs as improvements, it could result in the birth of future freaks. This is the reason why we must reject any and all genetic modifications.
  7. Sister Geraldine argues that scientists should conduct these experiments for the betterment of humanity. Xian Sheng responded by pointing out that having two heads might be seen as better than one. She argued that such modifications would look ugly and be viewed as a deformation rather than an improvement.
  8. Xian Sheng clarified that geneticists should not interfere with the natural process but are welcome to address any sickness only after the baby is born. Sister Geraldine rephrased this by stating, “They must not alter GOD’s creation,” to which Xian Sheng reaffirmed that such modifications should not be accepted.
  9. Xian Sheng said that the Baitiangong Spiritual Movement must make a prompt decision, given that the issue has become critical with reports appearing everywhere, including in Time magazine. It has become a very serious issue.
  10. Xian Sheng presented two key agendas:
    1) “We cannot accept human cloning,” and
    2) “We cannot accept artificial insemination using genetically modified germline cells.”
    He asked the followers to consider these issues before holding further spiritual discussions to make a final decision.
  11. Xian Sheng referred to Brother KC Wong’s query as a case in point, mentioning that Brother KC Wong questioned Xian Sheng’s refusal to accept genetic modification, given its capability to remove diseases from newborns.
  12. On the topic of disease elimination, Xian Sheng questioned the rationale behind not allowing the baby to be born first and then addressing the issue. He suggested that they could experiment with treatments after the baby is born.
  13. The natural course for humans involves “birth, ageing, illness, and death.” Humans are meant to die naturally.
  14. Although scientific advancements have made human cloning a possibility, Xian Sheng stated that every human should remain a unique individual. He emphasised that no two humans should think alike and that each should possess distinct characteristics, such as unique fingerprints. Xian Sheng asked if the followers understood his argument about human uniqueness and therefore why cloning should not be accepted.
  15. There would be havoc in the world if cloning became a reality. Xian Sheng emphasised that human cloning is an unnatural process.
  16. Xian Sheng concluded by stating that there are certain things we can accept and others we cannot. We must not alter the natural order through the genetic engineering of human germline cells to prevent diseases. To date, the scientific community has not provided assurances of success in genetic engineering but has only claimed that it is possible. Although cloning has been successfully performed (Dolly the Sheep), there is no evidence of human cloning producing a baby that grows into an adult. If such human clones exist, we would like to know about their developmental stages.
(B) Genetically eliminating a disease does not guarantee you won’t contract it later.
  1. Xian Sheng explains that all humans must pass through the natural stages of birth, ageing, illness, and death, with illness being an essential part of this cycle. He stated frankly that if genetic engineering of germline cells were to eliminate current diseases, new ones would inevitably emerge.
  2. On the contrary, without these natural diseases, a more dangerous and lethal disease could emerge to take their place. At present, no one knows the answer to this. Can the scientific community guarantee that a genetically modified human would be free from all forms of disease? No one can offer any assurances of that.
  3. Xian Sheng stated that a person genetically modified to eliminate a hereditary disease could still contract it from an external source later, through contact with another person. He questioned whether that individual might then experience more severe symptoms than if they had inherited the disease naturally. Therefore, the only way to avoid contracting any disease would be to completely avoid social interaction. Xian Sheng further asked whether contracting such a disease could lead to their immediate demise. These are questions to which no one currently has answers.
  4. Xian Sheng asked if the followers were aware that a common strain of flu or pneumonia could result in death. He clarified that this is because the individuals do not have immunity to those specific strains.
  5. Xian Sheng argued that a genetically modified person, free from certain diseases, might also lack immunity to those same diseases. If the immune system is compromised, they would be unable to produce antibodies to fight off those diseases. He emphasised that such individuals should avoid contracting any of these diseases. Xian Sheng further explained that a weakened immune system could make them vulnerable to other diseases, and if the immune system were completely compromised, survival would be unlikely.
  6. Xian Sheng reiterated that while the elimination of diseases by scientists would be a positive development, he reaffirms that he does not agree with the spiritual movement accepting genetic manipulation of germline cells.
  7. Xian Sheng explained that test-tube babies1 can be accepted because there is no alteration to the genes during the conception process. However, genetic modification of genes is not accepted. If test-tube babies are conceived naturally without any genetic tampering, they are acceptable. Nevertheless, Xian Sheng emphasised that the best practice for Baitiangong followers is to reject conceiving a baby through the test tube procedure. He concluded that any alteration to the genes is considered wrong from the perspective of Baitiangong.
(C) Pray facing the cardinal and ordinal directions in a clockwise sequence.
  1. Xian Sheng informed the followers of a decision he made and shared with a group this morning. He now wishes to share this decision regarding the prayer directions of east, south, west, and north here as well.
  2. Xian Sheng wished to teach the followers how to identify the four cardinal directions: east, south, west, and north. By facing the rising sun in the morning and then turning 90 degrees to the left, one would face north, with the back facing south. He indicated that to his right is east and to his left is west. He emphasised the importance of understanding how to determine these cardinal directions.
  3. Xian Sheng made a decision this morning regarding the prayer directions because the followers had not settled on a specific direction and were praying in random directions. He clarified that while praying in any direction was not wrong, he now wishes for the followers to follow a clockwise direction when praying.
  4. For the first rotation in a clockwise direction, all followers will face the four cardinal directions, starting with East (E) for praying and meditation. In the following weeks, they will pray and meditate facing South (S), West (W), and finally North (N). In the second rotation, they will face the ordinal directions, beginning with Northeast (NE), followed by Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and finally Northwest (NW). These two rotations together will make up one full cycle, which will take 8 weeks to complete.
  5. Xian Sheng explained that the followers are paving the paths for them to channel their energy when praying. Upon completing a full cycle, they will have covered all 360 degrees, creating paths that guide them home (to Heaven) by having prayed to the CREATOR in every direction.
  6. Xian Sheng directed all followers to pray according to the cyclic method he described when attending sermons and meditation at his house on Sundays. When the Holy Hall is ready, followers will also use this cyclic method there, beginning with East (E), then South (S), West (W), North (N), followed by Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and finally Northwest (NW).
  7. In response to a question about whether followers should use the cyclic method at home, Xian Sheng clarified that it is not required outside of meditation places like the Holy Hall. At home, followers may face any direction that is convenient for them.
  8. Xian Sheng emphasised once again that he wanted followers to know the path home. They would know how to find their path home from any direction within a 360-degree range.
  9. Xian Sheng stated that, unlike others who do not know their path home after they pass away, Baitiangong followers will be able to do so. He explained that we need to pave our paths home from every direction within a 360-degree range, highlighting its significance to us.
  10. The cyclic method is most suitably implemented in meditation places and not at home. When the Holy Hall is finally ready, we will carry on with this practice there.
  11. When a follower proposed using a compass to find the cardinal directions, Xian Sheng strongly disagreed, asserting that we should not rely on a compass. He clarified that depending on such devices is not ideal and encouraged using our minds to independently determine direction. Knowing that the morning sun rises in the East, turning 90 degrees to the left will place us facing North, from which we can ascertain the other cardinal directions.
  1. A test-tube baby refers to a child conceived via in vitro fertilisation (IVF), where an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the woman's body, and the fertilised egg, or embryo, is then implanted back into the uterus to develop.