Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41904750›Full record

ArticleJournal of religion and health2026

Dutch Christian Faith Leaders Deliberating Human Germline Gene Editing: A Qualitative Study.

Wendy P Geuverink, Janneke T Gitsels, Christy Betgem, Diewertje Houtman, Carla G van El, Martina C Cornel, Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte, Linda Martin

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Article in Journal of religion and health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Wendy P GeuverinkDepartment of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. w.geuverink@amsterdamumc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0383-6711
Janneke T GitselsDepartment of Midwifery Science, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5742-7246
Christy BetgemDepartment of Youth Health, GGD Regio Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-2056-0040
Diewertje HoutmanErasmus Medical Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0661-6466
Carla G van ElDepartment of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2201-2320
Martina C CornelDepartment of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5397-5544
Bert Jan Lietaert PeerbolteSchool of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5725-9599
Linda MartinDepartment of Midwifery Science, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3041-6536

Funding

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek NWO NWA.1389.20.075
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

While human germline gene editing (HGGE) is not allowed, the World Health Organization and others called for public dialogue to clarify the values at stake. Some values may be rooted in religion, such as Christianity, and relevant to religious communities and wider society. In-depth interviews (N = 16) were conducted with Dutch Christian faith leaders in 2019 and 2024. Participants were asked about their views and underlying values, their possible approaches in pastoral counselling and their recommendations for future legislation regarding HGGE. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The findings of this study firstly showed that participants' views on the (un)acceptability of HGGE were underpinned by six values: human dignity; humility; alleviation of suffering; acceptance; compassion and justice. Secondly, regarding pastoral counselling, participants indicated that they would try to support the person(s) in need unconditionally regardless of their church teachings and/or their own values regarding HGGE. At the same time, their values would guide a thoughtful reflection on someone's motivation behind using HGGE. Finally, regarding future legislation, participants call for great caution and for legislation against human enhancement. They worry about a slippery slope from individual 'therapeutic' cases to unwanted expansions. This study contributes to a better understanding of values that lead to views regarding HGGE, which is relevant for dialogues and policymaking.

Indexed as

ChristianityGene EditingAdultFemaleGerm CellsHumansMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsPastoral CareQualitative ResearchFaith leaders’ perspectivesHeritable human genome editingHuman germline gene editingQualitative researchReligious values

Identifiers

PMID41904750

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.