Attachment and Bioethics: An Anabaptist Trans-Disciplinary Perspective American Scientific Affiliation 65 th Annual Meeting The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Presenter Dr. Roman J. Miller, Professor of Biology Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA 1
Agenda: Attachment & Bioethics 1. Three Attachment Stories 2. Definitions & Descriptions 3. Biology 4. Anabaptism 5. Bioethics 2
#1: Ovine attachment 1. Three Attachment Stories • Polypay ewe #20 mated to American barbadoes ram • Birthed quadruplets (2 sets of identical twins?) • Resultant behavior 3
#1: Ovine attachment 1. Three Attachment Stories • Polypay ewe #20 mated to American barbadoes ram • Birthed quadruplets (2 sets of identical twins?) • Resultant behavior Prolonged, close proximity that also constitutes sharing is a factor in forming attachments 4
1. Three Attachment Stories #2: Embryonic Attachment • Early pre- implantation embryo = historical origin • Day 6-13: Implantation – Day 1: Fertilization of ovum by sperm (#2) – Day 4: Rapid cleavage � Morula (#5) – Day 4-5 Blastocyst (#6-7) – Day 5: Hatching, loss of zona pellucida Image created by P. Gregory, Tyler Junior College. Permission granted for non-commercial use. 5
1. Three Attachment Stories #2: Embryonic Attachment • Day 6-13: Implantation – Day 6: Apposition – Day 7: Attachment (Adhesion) – Day 7.5-9: Penetration (invasion) trophectoderm cells invade into stroma – Days 9-13: Primary villus formation Implantation marks the initial attachment effort we made biologically; with the exchange of information, we attempt to find a secure haven and nourishment Image created by P. Gregory, Tyler Junior College. Permission granted for non-commercial use. 6
1. Three Attachment Stories #3: Horticultural Attachment • Jesus’ Metaphor of the Vine – John 15: 1-4 “ I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” Image: Clipart.com “public domain ” 7
2. Definitions & Descriptions Basic Definitions • Attachment – Dictionary definition : binding by personal ties of affection or sympathy; a feeling that binds persons – Synonyms: forming connections, reciprocal relationships, bonds, adherences • Attachment is in our nature – We are social beings – Modern individualism is being undermined by science that describes our basic need for connection Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 8
2. Definitions & Descriptions What is attachment? • Three claims: 1. Attachment is a universal thread that holds the fabric of life together • Accessibility : Can I get to you? Are you available? • Responsiveness : Will you meet with me? • Engagement : Will you respect and listen for me? . • Security : Will you help me when I am in need? Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 9
2. Definitions & Descriptions What is attachment? • Three claims: 1. Attachment is a universal thread that holds the fabric of life together 2. Biology enables attachment. • Our genes (DNA) code cellular responses for attachment • Blood borne hormones are attachment messengers • Our brain initiates, responds to, and coordinates attachment behaviors 10
2. Definitions & Descriptions What is attachment? • Three claims: 1. Attachment is a universal thread that holds the fabric of life together 2. Biology enables attachment. 3. Anabaptist theology identifies attachment as basis for flourishing relationships with God and with others. • Human with Divine • Parent with Offspring • Spouse with Spouse • Brother with Brother • Christian with Enemy 11
2. Definitions & Descriptions Conceptual Model for Attachment Inner Aspects of Attachment • Two Facets of Attachment – Inner Dimension • Physical aspect • Metaphysical aspect – Outer Metaphysical Soma aspect aspect Dimension • Attachment behaviors Inner Attachment 12
2. Definitions & Descriptions Who were the Anabaptists? • Anabaptism – Defined: a contemporary Christian theological praxis that has grown out of the Radical Reformers of the 16 th century. – From that historical movement, which was neither Catholic nor Protestant, was a third wave of men and women who emerged seeking to follow Jesus by simply obeying his teachings. Woodcut figure from the 16th century – Strongly influenced by Anabaptist book, The Martyr’s Mirror “Public Domain” experiences of martyrdom 13
2. Definitions & Descriptions Who were the Anabaptists? • Anabaptism – Anabaptists believed that Christians were those who… • Believed and practiced what Jesus taught and showed • Experienced the church as a voluntary gathered community committed to discerning and meeting the needs of each other and the world • Followed the way of Jesus, a path of non-violence and peace Woodcut figure from the 16th • Demonstrated suffering love, century Anabaptist book, The promoted justice, and lived Martyr’s Mirror “ Public Domain” righteous lives. 14
3. Biology Biological Attachment: Hormones • Oxytocin – Small peptide hormone synthesized in hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary – Oxytocin receptors found in many brain Hypothalamus areas: olfactory bulb, Pituitary neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 15
3. Biology Biological Attachment: Hormones • Oxytocin – Well-known female role in mediating smooth muscle contraction � • milk let-down • uterine contractions during child-birth – More recently the social aspects of oxytocin have been described… Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 16
3. Biology Biological Attachment: Oxytocin • Monogamous pairing in Pine voles – Involves hormones: vasopressin, oxytocin, dopamine, and corticosterone – Monogamous voles have higher concentrations of oxytocin receptors in their frontal cortex, amygdala, and thalamic regions of their brains than polygamous voles – Pair-bonding is facilitated in monogamous voles with exogenous oxytocin Images from www.clipart.com “public domain” 17
Biological Attachment: 3. Biology Hormones • Oxytocin – More recently the social aspects of oxytocin have been described… • Increased endogenous levels of oxytocin were correlated with increased social contact in male rats and male squirrel monkeys • Increased circulating oxytocin and in oxytocin receptors were found in female rats, voles, rabbits, and ewes during pregnancy , at parturition, and when nursing offspring • In presence of estrogen, oxytocin stimulates rodent maternal behaviors such as licking pups, crouching over pups, nest building, and pup retrieval • Endogenous oxytocin levels increased in male California mice expectant fathers California mice exhibit biparental roles in rearing young Images from www.clipart.com “public domain” 18
3. Biology Biological Attachment: Hormones • Oxytocin – Human social aspects of oxytocin have been described… • Levels of oxytocin are positively correlated with good communication behaviors and increased feelings of attachment • Maternal to neonatal infant attachment behaviors enhanced by oxytocin: gazing at infant, vocalizations to infant, and affectionate touch • Exogenously administered oxytocin enhances affiliate behavior by humans toward unfamiliar other persons of either gender Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 19
4. Anabaptism Anabaptist Theology & Attachment • Anthropological linkages – Biological anthropology understood as humans created in the image of God ( imago Dei ) – Imago Dei reflects a Divine-human relationship initiated by God – Consequence may be the “imprinting” of a sense of the Divine in the being of humans � human desire to attach to the Divine – Anabaptist faith statements say that humans are “made for relationship with God, to live in peace with each other, and to take care of the rest of creation.” Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 20
4. Anabaptism Anabaptist Theology & Attachment • Early Anabaptists – Emphasized “Scripture and Spirit” with communal discernment of the meaning – Discipleship redefined family and the Kingdom of God so that being connected was experienced as “spiritual oneness” • Pilgrim Marpeck (16 th century – Grace was the means by Anabaptist) said that grace is which humans connected the “act whereby God renews (became attached) to God the divine image in man and thus makes the believer a participant in the divine nature.” Image from www.clipart.com “public domain” 21
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