Expert: Justin Choo - 10/22/2005

Question
I am writing a critical response paper to Easterbrook and his idea that science could one day end violence via DNA alteration. Assuming that this is possible, How would a Buddhist feel about this? How would this affect the practice of Ahimsa, and rebirth? Does Buddhism believe that violence is, at the least, partly genetic?

Answer
Hi Gary,

Thank you for asking me.

People throughout history had fantastic ideas.  They may be very clever altering this and that.  But it's not going to change the world for the better or worse.  It would be just doing things differently, or living in a different manner. For example, the computer and digital technology does not solve life's problems.  The fast track in space exploration and communications do not lessen our human burdens.  We are just doing things differently.  Petty bickerings still exist in the office and in the family.  Wars and pestilence still scourge the world.

Your notion is like saying modern medical science has advanced to such great heights that one day we will be free from all diseases; there will be no more need for doctors and hospitals.  

As for your last question, the Buddhist perspective of life is that this "being" consists of the physical body and the mind.  The existence of this being is the results of the energy of the mind taking existence in this physical body.  The nature of life-form that this mind energy affixes to, will depend on the nature of the accumulated "kammic" store-house which the being had generated throughout its numerous life existences.  If the kammic storehouse has a greater portion of evil and unwholesome kammic energy, this mental energy will seek a rebirth in the appropriate existence such that the evil and unwholesome energies will actualize in that life, causing agony and suffering for the being.  In this sense, you can consider that evil mental energies will seek out conditions that favour such existence.  Although genes play a great part in one's character,  the mind if properly trained will be able to counter the bad effects of bad genes.

Smile from justinchoo :-)