Bioethics

VII -- Evolution and Bio-technology

If we were to accept Darwin's Theory of Evolution, man has evolved out of a mollusc or an amoeba. Darwin certainly does not say anything about the evolution of life out of matter. He only traces the evolution of life-forms. As a matter of fact, although Einstein has been able to give us an equation to describe the relation between matter and energy (E = mc2), no scientist has so far been able to discover an equation between mind and matter, and unless this is defined, every attempt at tempering with matter to influence mind would remain unpredictable.

The next great leap in evolution was when the nerve tissue was evolved. Initially it was merely like a nerve net in Hydra, but later evolved into two nerve cords, leading to a single nerve cord. This again got differentiated in the front to form a nerve ganglion. This again divided into three parts: the fore brain, the mid brain and the hind brain. As evolution proceeded, the fore brain evolved into neo-cerebrum, being the seat of intellect; mid brain became limbic system and thalamus-the seats of emotion and instinct respectively; and the hind brain formed the medulla-the seat for centres for vital functions like respiration and heart beats. In humans, the fore brain or the neo-cerebrum is far more developed than in animals, signifying that in humans intellect plays a far more dominant role than in lower animals.

Now the vital question is: what is the next step in human evolution? Some have envisaged a superman. What is the biological speciality of such a superman? Will he have a special structure or part added to his already evolved brain? Or, will there be only a functional change and not anatomical, in his brain? But before we venture even to give some speculative answers to these questions, we must at least define a "superman," in philosophical, psychological, sociological and spiritual terms. Modern material sciences have no clear idea of a superman. However, all religious traditions of the world have not only clearly defined a "superman", they all owe their very origin to such a divine being. Buddha and Christ, Zoroaster and Ramakrishna, and the like are the prototype of the next stage of human evolution. All the scriptures of the world clearly delineate the characteristics of such a super or divine being. And the human evolution is progressing towards it.

In terms of psychology, some prefer to use "yogic consciousness" as the next step in evolution. Although the very concept of consciousness is vague, modern psychologists have tried to understand it with the help of biology. They associate the concept of consciousness with the evolving nerve tissue in the species. Mukhopadhyaya credits consciousness only to the brain and not to the neural tissue below the brain level. According to him there is a brain-stem consciousness related to waking and sleep states; the mid brain or limbic system consciousness concerned with our instincts and emotions, and finally the cortical consciousness associated with our intellect. He postulates that the higher consciousness in the process of evolution is supra-cortical consciousness.(Dr. A. K. Mukhopadhyaya, Paper presented at the NCERT seminar 1987, quoted by Shah, C. S.)

Psychologists also claim that the two hemispheres of the brain have different psycho and physiological functions. To this, they have given the name bi-modal consciousness. The non-dominant hemisphere is supposed to have functions which are more holistic. However, they are not able to say as yet what the anatomical locus of yogic consciousness is. And unless these issues are answered and clarified, the role of bio-technology cannot possibly be assessed. Some speculations as to the alteration in the structure and function of brain which might be associated with the evolution of a yogic consciousness are postulated by Dr. C. S. Shah:

(a) Certain centres in the brain may be suppressed, while others may get stimulated.

(b) Dormant connections between the nerve cells may be opened. (c) New connections might develop between the brain cells and the centres.

(d) Quality and quantity of neuro-transmitting chemicals which transfer messages from one cell to another may be altered

(e) New centres may develop, as has happened in human beings during the evolutionary leap from ape to man.

Dr. Shah further suggests, quoting reliable authorities, that brain has great plasticity and its structure can be altered by training, upbringing and experience. We must look for this, rather than something embedded in genes. While natural evolution takes thousands of years to effect such changes, some people can achieve the same results in a few years through conscious and deliberate meditative efforts to control the mind. (See Shah, Dr. C. S., Physiology of a Man of God, Part III, The Vedanta Kesari, August 1999. p 311 -313).

Conclusion

It cannot be denied that the investigations of modern bio-sciences into the realm of religion and spirituality have helped in understanding the spiritual phenomenon, and to dispel the clouds of mystery around mystic happenings. We have also understood the limitations of bio-technology in bringing about spiritual experiences or in helping in hastening the process of spiritual evolution. It is also a fact that spiritual phenomenon is essential not only for individual fulfillment, it also plays a major role in social well being. Such scientific inquiries further strengthen the view that spiritual life must be led in right earnestness if we seek personal emancipation, welfare of the society and ascent of the human race to the higher ladder of evolution. Yoga and not bio-technology is the path to higher consciousness. Robots may have their utility, but they are not substitutes for rishis. What we need today are rishis in scores, hundreds and thousands.

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Contributed By Swami Brahmeshananda

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(Top)	Spiritual Phenomenon in the Light of Bio-technology : 4 By Swami Brahmeshananda VII -- Evolution and Bio-technology If we were to accept Darwin's Theory of Evolution, man has evolved out of a mollusc or an amoeba. Darwin certainly does not say anything about the evolution of life out of matter. He only traces the evolution of life-forms. As a matter of fact, although Einstein has been able to give us an equation to describe the relation between matter and energy (E = mc2), no scientist has so far been able to discover an equation between mind and matter, and unless this is defined, every attempt at tempering with matter to influence mind would remain unpredictable. The next great leap in evolution was when the nerve tissue was evolved. Initially it was merely like a nerve net in Hydra, but later evolved into two nerve cords, leading to a single nerve cord. This again got differentiated in the front to form a nerve ganglion. This again divided into three parts: the fore brain, the mid brain and the hind brain. As evolution proceeded, the fore brain evolved into neo-cerebrum, being the seat of intellect; mid brain became limbic system and thalamus-the seats of emotion and instinct respectively; and the hind brain formed the medulla-the seat for centres for vital functions like respiration and heart beats. In humans, the fore brain or the neo-cerebrum is far more developed than in animals, signifying that in humans intellect plays a far more dominant role than in lower animals. Now the vital question is: what is the next step in human evolution? Some have envisaged a superman. What is the biological speciality of such a superman? Will he have a special structure or part added to his already evolved brain? Or, will there be only a functional change and not anatomical, in his brain? But before we venture even to give some speculative answers to these questions, we must at least define a "superman," in philosophical, psychological, sociological and spiritual terms. Modern material sciences have no clear idea of a superman. However, all religious traditions of the world have not only clearly defined a "superman", they all owe their very origin to such a divine being. Buddha and Christ, Zoroaster and Ramakrishna, and the like are the prototype of the next stage of human evolution. All the scriptures of the world clearly delineate the characteristics of such a super or divine being. And the human evolution is progressing towards it. In terms of psychology, some prefer to use "yogic consciousness" as the next step in evolution. Although the very concept of consciousness is vague, modern psychologists have tried to understand it with the help of biology. They associate the concept of consciousness with the evolving nerve tissue in the species. Mukhopadhyaya credits consciousness only to the brain and not to the neural tissue below the brain level. According to him there is a brain-stem consciousness related to waking and sleep states; the mid brain or limbic system consciousness concerned with our instincts and emotions, and finally the cortical consciousness associated with our intellect. He postulates that the higher consciousness in the process of evolution is supra-cortical consciousness.(Dr. A. K. Mukhopadhyaya, Paper presented at the NCERT seminar 1987, quoted by Shah, C. S.) Psychologists also claim that the two hemispheres of the brain have different psycho and physiological functions. To this, they have given the name bi-modal consciousness. The non-dominant hemisphere is supposed to have functions which are more holistic. However, they are not able to say as yet what the anatomical locus of yogic consciousness is. And unless these issues are answered and clarified, the role of bio-technology cannot possibly be assessed. Some speculations as to the alteration in the structure and function of brain which might be associated with the evolution of a yogic consciousness are postulated by Dr. C. S. Shah: (a) Certain centres in the brain may be suppressed, while others may get stimulated. (b) Dormant connections between the nerve cells may be opened. (c) New connections might develop between the brain cells and the centres. (d) Quality and quantity of neuro-transmitting chemicals which transfer messages from one cell to another may be altered (e) New centres may develop, as has happened in human beings during the evolutionary leap from ape to man. Dr. Shah further suggests, quoting reliable authorities, that brain has great plasticity and its structure can be altered by training, upbringing and experience. We must look for this, rather than something embedded in genes. While natural evolution takes thousands of years to effect such changes, some people can achieve the same results in a few years through conscious and deliberate meditative efforts to control the mind. (See Shah, Dr. C. S., Physiology of a Man of God, Part III, The Vedanta Kesari, August 1999. p 311 -313). Conclusion It cannot be denied that the investigations of modern bio-sciences into the realm of religion and spirituality have helped in understanding the spiritual phenomenon, and to dispel the clouds of mystery around mystic happenings. We have also understood the limitations of bio-technology in bringing about spiritual experiences or in helping in hastening the process of spiritual evolution. It is also a fact that spiritual phenomenon is essential not only for individual fulfillment, it also plays a major role in social well being. Such scientific inquiries further strengthen the view that spiritual life must be led in right earnestness if we seek personal emancipation, welfare of the society and ascent of the human race to the higher ladder of evolution. Yoga and not bio-technology is the path to higher consciousness. Robots may have their utility, but they are not substitutes for rishis. What we need today are rishis in scores, hundreds and thousands. Previous Part 3... ...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