Book Title: Illuminator of Jaina Tenets
Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

View full book text
Previous | Next

Page 34
________________ INTRODUCTION counselling could be quite important if it were to become widespread or universal. xxxii "Eugenical measures leading to genetic improvements must be accompanied by improvement of the environment in both physical and cultural aspects (euthenics), and by management of the developmental patterns of individual humans (euphenics). No genetic endowment can produce optimal results regardless of the environments in which its carriers are placed. The spectacular advances of the biological sciences have produced optimistic expectations of even more splendid advances to come. Several possibilities can be mentioned, although it is impossible to predict when, if at all, they will be realized. One has been labelled algeny, or "genetic surgery", i.e., deliberate modification of specific genes, or implantation of desired new genes into chromosomes. Transformation and transduction have, indeed, been realized in some microorganisms, and it is possible, at least in principle, that this kind of directed genetic change may someday be practicable in higher organisms, including man. The potency of genetic surgery for genetic improvement of mankind may, indeed, permit achievements far beyond the reach of the genetic techniques presently available. A variety of instruments for euphenic betterment (developmental engineering) may conceivably become available in the near future. Suppression of the action of undesirable genes and stimulation of that of desirable genes may be a most powerful means for controlling phenotypes that develop from genetically defective genotypes, or for stimulating genotypes whose potentialities are hidden. Transplantation of organs to replace those injured by accidents or worn out is another possibility. Such organs may be taken either from people who die accidentally or because of faults in other organs, or conceivably from animals bred especially for that purpose. Mechanical aids or prostheses (substitutes) for human organs or limbs may be improved. All this may increase human longevity and decrease the deterioration now unavoidable with aging. Last but not least, and probably the most urgent, is management and regulation of population growth by reliable, as well as emotionally and aesthetically acceptable, family planning techniques. It is arguable that the avoidance of a disastrous "population explosion" is the prime necessity to make any genetic improvement of mankind really beneficial." In Jaina terminology, samvara can function as negative eugenics and spiritual penances as positive eugenics. The ethical code of the Jainas gives a proper place to euthenics and euphenics. Algeny or genetic Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252