Applied Buddhism and Modern Bioethics

Buddhism is considered to be a 'Way of good life' or a 'Perfect life'. According to Buddhist Ethics, non-injury to all forms of life is obligatory. There is no compromise in this regard. Hence, Stem Cell Research for any purpose, whatever may be its need and urgency, cannot be encouraged from the Buddhist perspectives. Due to over enthusiasm a general trend may develop gradually among the scientists to create a completely cloned human being, which also goes against Buddhist and...
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Buddhism is considered to be a 'Way of good life' or a 'Perfect life'. According to Buddhist Ethics, non-injury to all forms of life is obligatory. There is no compromise in this regard. Hence, Stem Cell Research for any purpose, whatever may be its need and urgency, cannot be encouraged from the Buddhist perspectives. Due to over enthusiasm a general trend may develop gradually among the scientists to create a completely cloned human being, which also goes against Buddhist and Bioethical standpoints. The first sila in Buddhism is concerned with abstinence from taking life. From this perspective and exclusively for this reason researches on human cloning should be strictly discouraged. According to the Buddhist point of view abortion does not solve the problem of unwanted pregnancy. It eliminates the foetus, but leaves in its place untold regrets, remorse, and unwholesome potential. The driving stream of Kamma which has led to the situation in the first place is given new impetus. But if a woman chooses to go ahead with the pregnancy with whatever courage, fortitude and grace she can muster, then that particular stream must spend its force and subside.