Buddhism

Organized religions have varying perspectives on embryonic stem cell research. Theistic religions tend to take an adamant position that cloning is a violation of God’s gift of life. For instance, with exceptions among liberal denominations, organized Christianity has strongly opposed cloning of blastocysts and production of pluripotent embryonic stem cells from the clones. Those who do not condemn the action at least warn and urge caution. The Christian influence is strong enough in many Western countries that research into cloning and creation of new human embryonic stem cell lines is outlawed or heavily restricted.

For some, the answer is a simple “no,” but for others, the answer is closer to “maybe; it depends.” Buddhism, like Judaism, is more nuanced than organized Christianity. While Christians in the ...