About Precepts

Strive SG

Hi,

i am new here, got a question that i would like to ask..

I am someone who is working in medical/life science industry doing lots of lab work.

During my course of work, I have to deal with animals that are use in research. Several animals such as mouse, guinea pig, rabbits are use in research labs. Animals are used in research to develop drugs and medical procedures to treat diseases. Any new medical therapy or medicine would be tested in animals to see whether it seems to be safe and effective. It would have to be proven safe in animals before new drugs can be sent for clinical trials using human volunteers.

Sadly, during the process many animals would be scarified in the name of science. Needless to say, these animals would have suffered greatly before they were eventually put down. Even though there are severals guidelines governing the use of animals in research, animals will still eventually be used.

If one was to be involved in such work, would it go against the Buddha Teaching? Would it mean breaking the 1^st precepts of not killing and not in line with Right action and Right Livelihood as mention in the noble 8 fold path?

weymas SG

Hi,

i am new here, got a question that i would like to ask..

I am someone who is working in medical/life science industry doing lots of lab work.

i don't know about the buddhist teachings because i'm not a buddhist, but from an objective point of view, if the sacrifice of these animals are for the good of mankind in the form of medical breakthroughs, then i thinkit is fine.

An Eternal Now SG

Unfortunately in my understanding, that would be against precepts, right action and right livelihood. Negative karma will be incurred as a result of such actions regardless of what positive impact it did make to the creation of better drugs.

As Peter Harvey would say,

From the traditional Buddhist perspective, it is more certain that killing an animal is wrong than that generating better drugs etc. from experiments on it is good (cf. King, 1964: 281). If the early Buddhist attitude to meat eating is applied in this area, though, it will be acceptable for a Buddhist to take drugs that others have developed using animal research. The Mahayana ethic would give an ambivalent answer: the precedent of vegetarianism would suggest opposition to drug-testing in that way; the principal of skilful means might suggest that it was acceptable, where really necessary. However, the precedents of skilful means cases only give possible legitimation for killing someone about to do a heinous act: not for killing innocent beings supposedly to help other beings. (p. 169)

One of our moderators, whom I don't know whether he wants to talk about it, has memories of being involved in cruel medical experimentations in a past life and could trace his past deeds to some of the suffering he had faced in the present life.

weymas SG

As Peter Harvey would say,

i see i see..

mancha SG

If you are not comfortable about subjecting those animals to pain and death, then don't do it.

Do not try to justify doing what is against your conscious.

It is a sure path to insanity. Only the degree of insanity would variable from person to person.

Rooney9 SG

animals are living beings with emotions as well. to capture them and put them in an enclosure is already wrong. to subject them and put them in stress with all the tests is even cruel. if animals can speak, they would tell you freedom is what they craved for.

supposing you are born an animal, and a scientist were to test you on some medications, how would you feel? how would you feel if you were to be slaughtered for your meat?

Strive SG

I do understand the buddhist point of view.

We as human beings have decided we are the superior race and decide to use the animals in whatever ways that we deem as beneficial to us. Eventually we have to pay for the negative karma we have generated

As someone who had knowledge of this industry, we know that animal model is invaluable in science and cannot be replaced. While animal testing cannot be avoided, it is comforting to know that in singapore at least, there are strong guidelines regarding Care And Use Of Animals For Scientific Purposes. The Guidelines are based on the principles of the 3Rs- Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

· Replacement of animals with alternative methods;

· Reduction of the number of animals used;

· Refinement of projects and techniques used to minimise impact on animals.

When we fall sick and receive medicine to relieve our suffering, be aware that many animals have been sacrificed to make the drug possible. Be grateful for them.

May all beings be from mental and physical suffering

Rooney9 SG

animals and human bodies are not the same isnt it. I dunno if all trials were successful. you also need human trials also what, to test the efficacy of the drug isnt it.

that said, animals are killed either for their meat, skin or test on them. their existence is entirely suffering, no happiness whatsoever.

we humans are no better either. we experiences both sufferings and happiness also. even those rich people also have sufferings, mental or physical, as in sicknesses.

An Eternal Now SG

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knightlll SG

What's done has already been done. Stop it if possible. What can be done is to generate merits and dedicate to the animals and do self-repetance.

Switch to a new job if possible. Even if we dont talk about any dharma , karma will still exists.

Below is notes from my lam-rim class:

THE 4 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KARMA

1) The Certainty of karma:

positive and negative deeds will definitely plant seeds that will bear respective fruits.

2) The Increase of karma:

one seed produces many fruits, each of which has many seeds of a like nature.

3) Actions not done do not bring results:

if the cause has not been created, the result will not be experienced; a deed (+ve or -ve) not done produces no result.

4) Karma once created will not disappear of its own accord:

every deed of body, speech or mind leaves a karmic seed in one's mental continuum that is never exhausted (unless purified).

Strive SG

Thank you all for your reply.

The purpose of this post is to gather insight and raise awareness about animals being use for scientific purpose. I condemned the use of animals for research purpose; however we must be aware virtually every medical achievement of the last century has depended directly or indirectly on research with animals.

Perhaps whenever we receive medication and medical treatment, it is a good idea to dedicate merits to the animals that have make medical breakthrough possible.

I have recently turned down a job offer to work in an animal research lab opting to work in another place with a lower pay.

May all beings be well and happy.