Two Southern California physicians were invited to...

Two Southern California physicians were invited to the Second National Conference on Genetics, Religion and Ethics in Houston last month to discuss the wide-ranging implications of the Human Genome Project.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the project is a national effort to define and locate all genes on the human chromosome within the next 15 years. The project will examine the ethics of genetic engineering as the research progresses.

Dr. Hassan Hathout, director of education at the Genetics Institute in Pasadena--who is also a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Southern California--said he cited some positive applications of genetic engineering, such as procedures that allow a disease-producing gene to be replaced by a normal one.

But he cautioned that, while research should not be subject to censorship, “its fruits should pass through a filter of moral allowability. We should refer to God, who already has shown us the core of his moral code in his divine religions up to and through Judaism, Christianity and Islam.”

Richard A. Gatti, a professor of pathology at UCLA School of Medicine, discussed what might happen if theologians and others do not press for global controls on the ethical use of genetic therapies, such as growth hormones used to enhance height.

The work of physicians and theologians should “intersect” as both evaluate the ethics of future applications of genetic research. With such cooperation, he said, “things won’t be as they usually are, with ethics lagging years behind (genetic research).”

SPEAKERS

A “legislative issues briefing” sponsored by the California Council of Churches and the Pomona Valley Council of Churches will be held next Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 600 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. State Sen. Diane E. Watson (D-Los Angeles) will speak on proposals to help low-income children and their families. Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) will discuss health-care issues. Other speakers will be representatives of the Children’s Defense Fund, Shelter Partnership and other organizations. Registration is $25, including lunch. (714) 622-3806.

Pepperdine University’s 49th annual Bible lectures, entitled “A God So Near: Great Themes from the Book of Deuteronomy,” will be held Tuesday through Friday on the Malibu campus. Seven lectures and 162 classes will be offered, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner programs. Each day will begin and end with prayer, at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Registration and reservations are not required for lectures; a fee will be charged for dormitory housing, recreational vehicle parking, meals and banquet programs. For information, phone (310) 456-4270.

Five American Buddhist scholars will present an all-day seminar on the Zen tradition in China, Korea and Japan at the Zen Center of Los Angeles next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Robert E. Buswell Jr. of UCLA is among the speakers. Registration is $75, with discounts for members, seniors and students. The center is at 923 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 387-2351.

HONORS

Singer Dionne Warwick will receive the Diva Award for enriching the lives of AIDS victims at the second annual “Divas: Simply Singing!” benefit May 2 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Earvin (Magic) Johnson is honorary chairman, and proceeds go to the Minority AIDS Project. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and singer-songwriter David Coury are the producers; Sandra Bernhard, Diahann Carroll and Marilyn McCoo are scheduled to perform. The Rev. Carl Bean is founder of the project, which operates a hot line and provides social workers, treatment, shelter and other support services. Tickets are $15 to $250. For information, call (213) 656-8735.

The Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie, senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, was honored recently for 20 years of pastoral service with his Hollywood congregation. Ogilvie is the author of more than 20 books, including “12 Steps to Living Without Fear.”

David Ellenson has been appointed to the Grancell Chair in Jewish Religious Thought at the Los Angeles campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. A faculty member since 1975, Ellenson is most noted for his research, which uses modern sociological and anthropological theory to describe the effect of modernization on Orthodox Judaism.

GRANTS

The Inland Counties Interfaith Committee in San Bernardino has received $25,000 in start-up costs from the California Community Foundation for a community organizing effort to deal with pressing social problems in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The committee, which represents 28 Presbyterian, Methodist and Roman Catholic church congregations, helps poor and low-income families in dealing with drug- and gang-related crime, unemployment and rising school dropout rates.

The foundation also awarded $20,000 to a Martin Luther King Legacy Assn. program, “Wings of Hope,” which involves South Los Angeles churches in the battle against drugs. The program trains ministers and lay leaders to improve pastoral counseling skills regarding drug abuse and treatment.

More than 45 churches have participated in training, which will be expanded to include peer leadership for teen-agers.

DATES

A “one-day experience” in Eastern Christian theology, prayer and music will be offered next Saturday at the Doheny campus of Mt. St. Mary’s College in downtown Los Angeles. Father Alexei Smith, pastor of St. Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo, will direct the program. Registration is $15. For information, phone (213) 746-0450.

The Jewish Historical Society of Southern California is sponsoring a tour to Santa Fe and surrounding areas in New Mexico April 30-May 3. Led by historian Stan Hordes and other professionals, the tour will explore the historical and contemporary culture of Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish communities--including a visit to the studio of artist Judy Chicago. For prices and further information, phone (213) 653-7740.

“Road to Bethany,” a one-man passion play written and performed by Robert Macklin, will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at New Hope Community Church, 424 New Hope, Santa Ana. Admission is free. (714) 891-0108.

GROUPS

A special training course for people interested in providing volunteer peer counseling for their church or community organization is offered by the Westside Counseling and Training Center, an outreach program of Westminster Presbyterian Church. For information, phone Ruthann Rountree at (213) 733-3312.

The H.O.P.E. (Hematology Oncology Palliation Education) Foundation and Adat Shalom Synagogue are sponsoring a weekly bereavement counseling group for people of all faiths whose spouses have died in the last two years.

There is no fee to join the group, which is led by a licensed therapist, but reservations are required. It meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Adat Shalom Synagogue, 3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-4985.

Christian support groups for individuals, family and friends affected by AIDS and the human immunodeficiency virus meet the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo. Confidentiality and a non-judgmental environment are stressed. The church is at 2304 Antonio Ave., Camarillo. For information, phone Margy (805) 482-0620 or June (805) 484-5680.