1. Buddhism: Use of Human Embryos
Religious Viewpoint 2
LI: I have learned about Buddhist views on use of human embryos.
I have evaluated Buddhist views on use of human embryos.
Success: I have completed notes on Buddhist views.

2. BUDDHIST Arguments For
Relieve suffering (Dukkha)
Intention/skilful means

3. Reduce Suffering
Buddhists do recognise the benefits of using human embryos – helping infertility, curing disease and disability.
Many forms of curative medicine might involve changes in genetic make-up.
These are beneficial and would stop suffering, therefore gain good karma.

4. Intention/Skilful Means
The intention behind any new medical research is important,
some Buddhists believe that using human embryos is an important part of medical research and has huge potential benefits
Are the intentions for the good of humanity – to prevent suffering?
Buddhism aims to end suffering, therefore using human embryos could be considered skilful means.

5. Buddhist Arguments AGAINST
Against Buddhist teachings
Ahimsa
Karma
Interconnectedness

6. Ahimsa: against causing harm
Many advances in Genetic Engineering have included experimentation on human embryos
Buddhists are against any suffering inflicted upon any living being for medical advancement.
Buddhists see genetic selection as an attack on a person’s genetic make-up.

7. Karma
Harming others will accumulate negative karma, producing negative results or consequences, although karmic consequences can be delayed if using human embryos brings benefits or a reduction of suffering.
Manipulating genes might be seen as tampering with nature. It is affecting something which would not otherwise be possible or likely to happen.

8. Interconnectedness
Buddhism teaches that everything is interconnected and that whatever happens, happens as a result of causes and conditions.
Each being is connected with each other being. Everything is interdependent and affects everything else. Using human embryos for IVF and research alters these connections, which can have wide-ranging and unpredictable results.

9. Past Paper Question
Evaluate a religious viewpoint you have studied on the use of human embryos.
4AE