Bioethics

V -- Psycho Bio-chemistry

Bio-chemistry is another branch with the help of which neuro scientists have tried to understand the psychic phenomenon. Scientists have identified certain chemicals called neuro-transmitters and neuro-modulators. These substances are released at the nerve junctions and act by altering the electric potentials of the cell membrane. They not only transmit the message, they also selectively facilitate some and inhibit some other information.

Different types of neuro-receptors are present in different parts of the brain and this can account for complex and multiple effects of medication, meditation, concentration and contemplation. For example, a subtype of "glutamate receptor" appears to mediate the function of brain plasticity, a process considered important in learning and memory.

Acetyl Choline helps in memory, motivation, perception and cognition. Another neuro-modulator is serotonine. Its increase can produce hallucinations, as happens after LSD intake. Variations in serotonine content affect behaviour, arousal and sleep pattern. Another neuro-transmitter, nor-epinephrine, causes changes in mood-excess leading to elation, and deficiency causing depression. Excess of dopamine levels lead to schizophrenia and psychosis.

Most of the anti-psychotic drugs act through one or more of the above chemicals. The question however, is, "Can any of the available drugs help in the spiritual life or produce a genuine spiritual experience?"

The drugs acting on the mind are of various types. The hard drugs like morphine and heroine produce severe psychological dependence, and are banned. Tobacco, alcohol and certain sedatives are less dependence producing and are used incidentally. Then there are the tranquillizers which have a calming and soothing effect. Of these, major ones are used in psychoses, while minor anxiolytics and anti-depressants are the most commonly prescribed by the physicians in medical practise.

There is a group of drugs called psycho-dysleptics, which produce hallucinations and alter the sense of time, make sensations more vivid, and obstruct memory revival.

LSD and marijuana are often called "mind manifesting". The experience produced by them is often weird and unpredictable. It leads to lethargy and social passivity. Some of these drugs are unfortunately used non medically for relief of anxiety and tension, and at times for "fun", amusement, and what is called "kick".

It is a custom among some of the traditional religious sects to use some of these drugs for spiritual purposes. It is true that these drugs may give a spiritual-experience-like feeling. But as has already been stated, spirituality is not merely an isolated experience or feeling. It is an extremely complex phenomenon which includes transformation of character itself. These drugs can't produce that. On the contrary, prolonged, habitual use of these drugs may lead not only to dependence, but also to moral debasement and depressed sensitivity. Let it be understood clearly: There is not shortcut to spiritual life.

VI -- Genetic Engineering and Spiritual Phenomenon

In 1989 the USA launched a spectacular multi billion research project called 'Human Genome Project' to reveal the entire human genetic code. Its aim is "human enhancement" by planned alteration of genetic codes. Genetic engineering and alteration in genetic codes has already been used to produce hybrid plants and cereals. It is also known that there are certain genetic diseases where a defective or abnormal gene in the patients' chromosomes is responsible for the disease. It has been envisaged therefore to achieve cure of diseases by modifying the genetic code.

So far so good. But more ambitiously, the bio-technological scientists plan to produce hybrid humans through genetic engineering! This very idea poses a number of important questions: Is such tampering ethical? Can human advancement be achieved purely by tempering at the physical level? Can matter be the cause of mind? Can human evolution be hastened by genetic engineering? Can a Buddha or a Gandhi, or worse, a Hitler be produced in laboratory? And if this were at all possible, what will happen if such a bio-technique falls in the hands of some unscrupulous person with scant concern for social welfare? Cloning and test tube babies are other areas in which bio-technology is trying to interfere with the natural phenomenon of birth.

It is interesting to note that Indian Mythology presents a number of instances of bio-technological interferences, especially in the process of birth. We have, for example, the case of life produced from dead matter: Ganesh was born out of the bodily dust of Mother Parvati. Bhagavatam describes that there was a tyrant king Vena who had to be killed. But he had no heir. So the Brahmins churned his dead body, out of which a dark dwarf with evil propensities arose. Then came out a divine couple. The male became king Prithu and ruled for long.

The second phenomenon is birth of Draupadi and Dristadumna through yajna-a case of birth without parents. Sri Rama and his three brothers were born when the milk obtained from yajna was fed to the mothers. Here, although mothers are there, there is no contribution of the father, and no sexual union. Mother Mary too conceived immaculately to give birth to Jesus.

Then there is the interesting case of transference of embryo from the womb of one mother to that of the other. According to Jain mythology, the soul of the prophet Mahavir first got embodied as an embryo in the womb if a Brahmin mother. However, the gods transferred it into the womb of a Kshatriya mother-a queen. A similar transference of the embryo of Balaram from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini is described in the Bhagavatam.

Cases of growth and nurturing of a fertilized ovum outside the mother's womb-equivalent to test-tube babies-is also found in Indian mythology. The embryo of the Kauravas emerged from the womb of Gandhari in the form of a single egg. It was kept in an incubator outside the womb. But when it did not grow into a baby for a long time, in desperation it was broken into hundred pieces each one of which became one Kaurava prince. The embryo of sage Agasthya too hatched outside the womb, in a pitcher.

Then, there are stories of duplication of bodies-similar bodies having being produced from one body, akin to cloning. Sage Kardama produced with the help of yogic power nine bodies identical to his own. Raktabija was the demon out of each drop of whose blood one similar demon was born. Finally, there are a number of examples of resorting to yajna, tapas (austerities) or yoga for obtaining progeny of ones own choice.

Thus in Indian religious tradition the possibility of unnatural occurrences and interference in the natural biological processes has not been denied. But they have never been encouraged or given undue importance. Such interferences are unpredictable in their results and may even prove dangerous. Instead, it is always much safer to resort to yogic practices, yajna or tapas to modify the normal or natural biological processes.

The decoding of the whole genetic code of a human genome has not yet been achieved. So far genetic engineering has only been able to alter the physical characteristics of the living organism. It is yet to be seen whether it can affect the mental characteristics. For this, to begin with, the bio-scientists will have to identify the genes responsible for mental traits like lust, greed, love, compassion, hatred, etc. They may well study the genetic structure of sages and seers, and compare them with those of sinners and criminals. And then would arise the question of the applicability of such a knowledge. Even theoretically it is difficult to accept the principle that matter can produce mind, and it is still more improbable that change in the physical structure would change mind in a predictable manner. In all probability, genetic engineering would also end up with giving us a few more methods for treating some mental diseases. It is always far safer and wiser to resort to yogic, psychological and spiritual techniques for mental transformation.

continued Part 4...

...Part 1... ... Part 2...
*
Contributed By Swami Brahmeshananda

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(Top)	Spiritual Phenomenon in the Light of Bio-technology : 3 By Swami Brahmeshananda V -- Psycho Bio-chemistry Bio-chemistry is another branch with the help of which neuro scientists have tried to understand the psychic phenomenon. Scientists have identified certain chemicals called neuro-transmitters and neuro-modulators. These substances are released at the nerve junctions and act by altering the electric potentials of the cell membrane. They not only transmit the message, they also selectively facilitate some and inhibit some other information. Different types of neuro-receptors are present in different parts of the brain and this can account for complex and multiple effects of medication, meditation, concentration and contemplation. For example, a subtype of "glutamate receptor" appears to mediate the function of brain plasticity, a process considered important in learning and memory. Acetyl Choline helps in memory, motivation, perception and cognition. Another neuro-modulator is serotonine. Its increase can produce hallucinations, as happens after LSD intake. Variations in serotonine content affect behaviour, arousal and sleep pattern. Another neuro-transmitter, nor-epinephrine, causes changes in mood-excess leading to elation, and deficiency causing depression. Excess of dopamine levels lead to schizophrenia and psychosis. Most of the anti-psychotic drugs act through one or more of the above chemicals. The question however, is, "Can any of the available drugs help in the spiritual life or produce a genuine spiritual experience?" The drugs acting on the mind are of various types. The hard drugs like morphine and heroine produce severe psychological dependence, and are banned. Tobacco, alcohol and certain sedatives are less dependence producing and are used incidentally. Then there are the tranquillizers which have a calming and soothing effect. Of these, major ones are used in psychoses, while minor anxiolytics and anti-depressants are the most commonly prescribed by the physicians in medical practise. There is a group of drugs called psycho-dysleptics, which produce hallucinations and alter the sense of time, make sensations more vivid, and obstruct memory revival. LSD and marijuana are often called "mind manifesting". The experience produced by them is often weird and unpredictable. It leads to lethargy and social passivity. Some of these drugs are unfortunately used non medically for relief of anxiety and tension, and at times for "fun", amusement, and what is called "kick". It is a custom among some of the traditional religious sects to use some of these drugs for spiritual purposes. It is true that these drugs may give a spiritual-experience-like feeling. But as has already been stated, spirituality is not merely an isolated experience or feeling. It is an extremely complex phenomenon which includes transformation of character itself. These drugs can't produce that. On the contrary, prolonged, habitual use of these drugs may lead not only to dependence, but also to moral debasement and depressed sensitivity. Let it be understood clearly: There is not shortcut to spiritual life. VI -- Genetic Engineering and Spiritual Phenomenon In 1989 the USA launched a spectacular multi billion research project called 'Human Genome Project' to reveal the entire human genetic code. Its aim is "human enhancement" by planned alteration of genetic codes. Genetic engineering and alteration in genetic codes has already been used to produce hybrid plants and cereals. It is also known that there are certain genetic diseases where a defective or abnormal gene in the patients' chromosomes is responsible for the disease. It has been envisaged therefore to achieve cure of diseases by modifying the genetic code. So far so good. But more ambitiously, the bio-technological scientists plan to produce hybrid humans through genetic engineering! This very idea poses a number of important questions: Is such tampering ethical? Can human advancement be achieved purely by tempering at the physical level? Can matter be the cause of mind? Can human evolution be hastened by genetic engineering? Can a Buddha or a Gandhi, or worse, a Hitler be produced in laboratory? And if this were at all possible, what will happen if such a bio-technique falls in the hands of some unscrupulous person with scant concern for social welfare? Cloning and test tube babies are other areas in which bio-technology is trying to interfere with the natural phenomenon of birth. It is interesting to note that Indian Mythology presents a number of instances of bio-technological interferences, especially in the process of birth. We have, for example, the case of life produced from dead matter: Ganesh was born out of the bodily dust of Mother Parvati. Bhagavatam describes that there was a tyrant king Vena who had to be killed. But he had no heir. So the Brahmins churned his dead body, out of which a dark dwarf with evil propensities arose. Then came out a divine couple. The male became king Prithu and ruled for long. The second phenomenon is birth of Draupadi and Dristadumna through yajna-a case of birth without parents. Sri Rama and his three brothers were born when the milk obtained from yajna was fed to the mothers. Here, although mothers are there, there is no contribution of the father, and no sexual union. Mother Mary too conceived immaculately to give birth to Jesus. Then there is the interesting case of transference of embryo from the womb of one mother to that of the other. According to Jain mythology, the soul of the prophet Mahavir first got embodied as an embryo in the womb if a Brahmin mother. However, the gods transferred it into the womb of a Kshatriya mother-a queen. A similar transference of the embryo of Balaram from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini is described in the Bhagavatam. Cases of growth and nurturing of a fertilized ovum outside the mother's womb-equivalent to test-tube babies-is also found in Indian mythology. The embryo of the Kauravas emerged from the womb of Gandhari in the form of a single egg. It was kept in an incubator outside the womb. But when it did not grow into a baby for a long time, in desperation it was broken into hundred pieces each one of which became one Kaurava prince. The embryo of sage Agasthya too hatched outside the womb, in a pitcher. Then, there are stories of duplication of bodies-similar bodies having being produced from one body, akin to cloning. Sage Kardama produced with the help of yogic power nine bodies identical to his own. Raktabija was the demon out of each drop of whose blood one similar demon was born. Finally, there are a number of examples of resorting to yajna, tapas (austerities) or yoga for obtaining progeny of ones own choice. Thus in Indian religious tradition the possibility of unnatural occurrences and interference in the natural biological processes has not been denied. But they have never been encouraged or given undue importance. Such interferences are unpredictable in their results and may even prove dangerous. Instead, it is always much safer to resort to yogic practices, yajna or tapas to modify the normal or natural biological processes. The decoding of the whole genetic code of a human genome has not yet been achieved. So far genetic engineering has only been able to alter the physical characteristics of the living organism. It is yet to be seen whether it can affect the mental characteristics. For this, to begin with, the bio-scientists will have to identify the genes responsible for mental traits like lust, greed, love, compassion, hatred, etc. They may well study the genetic structure of sages and seers, and compare them with those of sinners and criminals. And then would arise the question of the applicability of such a knowledge. Even theoretically it is difficult to accept the principle that matter can produce mind, and it is still more improbable that change in the physical structure would change mind in a predictable manner. In all probability, genetic engineering would also end up with giving us a few more methods for treating some mental diseases. It is always far safer and wiser to resort to yogic, psychological and spiritual techniques for mental transformation. continued Part 4... ...Part 1... ... Part 2... * Contributed By Swami Brahmeshananda About the author Swami Brahmeshananda is a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Mission, a world-wide religio-spiritual organization, founded on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, a man of God, by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda who preached the philosophy of Vedanta all over the world. At present the Swami is working at Chandigarh, India, in the capacity of President/Secretary of Chandigarh Ashrama. He can be contacted at: E-Mail More Articles: Religion with God \| Religion without God Religion Vs Spirituality \| Food for Thought