Explain the effectiveness of Sikh ethical teachings on IVF for sikhs today. A + B

intro

the rehit maryada gives sikhs a way to know how to live as a good sikh it is a list of requirements that teach sikhs what is right or wrong

this can be applied to modern ethical issues such as IVF

there are different views, D.S. Chahal “part of the fault of the sikh religious authorities that have remained silent”

P1 - Supporting

gods will (hukam) grants advances in science, so that IVF can take place, as an omnipotent and omniscient being, God wouldnt give this knowledge for it to be revoked or deemed wrong

jagbir Jutti-Jahal states that “such advances in biology and medicine have been created by God’s will” so must be morally acceptable to use

sikhs greatly value having children and are expected to have a family. when sikhs have difficulties with infertility this causes them suffering, so many sikhs support IVF if it made them not experience this

the guru granth sahib tells us “immersed in family life, the Lord’s humblr servant ever remains detached, he reflects upon the essence of spiritual wisdom”

in IVF its common for more than one embryo to be produced these can be frozen or used for research, to develop science or knowldge that could create new medicine

the adi granth states “those who have discriminating intellect can understand things in their real perspective”

“the researcher progresses while the other perishes”

P2 - Against

most sikhs believe that all life is sacred as it is given by god, so, many sikhs interpret infertility is being the will of god, it may be considered gods way of showing them they werenot meant to have children

“there is only one way to reach him, and that, says nanak, is to make gods will your own”

some sikhs believe that marriage is the most sacred value in their lives, so to break that through the adulterous act of IVF is incompatible with sikh teachings

owen cole says “artificial insemination of a woman with the sperm of a man who is not her husband is morally wrong”

some sikhs believe that extra embryos are destruction of life. they believe that life is present from the moment of conception, based on the teachings from the japji

“by divine law are beings created. others by his law are whistled around in cycles of birth and death”

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