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not only avoids killing of sperms but also becomes a means of contraception. Similar to rhythm method, contraception as such can be said to be generally acceptable to Jainas not only because of violence towards sperm, but Jainas believe that more the number of children more the attachment and aversions resulting in influx of karmas and related consequences. Therefore population control is indirectly prescribed specially in the interest of domestic felicity and welfare of society, along with minimizing bondage of additional karma with the soul (samvara).
4.2 Ethics of Womb and Embryo Methods of artificial procreation • In-vitro fertilization • Surrogate motherhood
4.2.1 In vitro fertilization: When a female is given hormone treatment to stimulate ovarian follicles and eggs are produced, these eggs are surgically removed. Sperms are then added to the eggs and fertilization occurs in the laboratory. Fertilized egg is then implanted in the uterus to grow till delivery of the baby. Sperm for this process of fertilization is usually obtained from sperm bank; sometimes husband's sperms are also used.
A recent story of a sperm donor in US was shocking were this medical student's sperms were picked by at least 20 women and had 20 successful pregnancies, these 20 children found out about this, through internet and had a union. They felt a different type of relationship though they never met the sperm donor. Question is as to which family do they belong? Jain literature while talking of celibacy refutes unnatural sex and polygamy and hence does not support this form of fertilization.
4.2.2 Surrogate Motherhood The female egg is fertilized in the laboratory using donor sperm or the egg and sperm are taken from couples implanted in the uterus of some other female who is willing to have the child for someone else grow in her womb and deliver the child to give the child away to the donor couple at a price. There is one good side of this process that someone who really wants a child and cannot have of their own, can have with their own egg or sperm. There are
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 159 of 273
| SR No. | 007713 |
| Book Title | ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | International School for Jain Studies |
| Publisher | International School for Jain Studies |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| Total Pages | 292 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 7 MB |