Question: During the process of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation, for ‘test tube babies’), ‘extra’ embryos (fertilised eggs) are [1] donated to other potential mothers, [2] donated for research, [3] kept frozen indefinitely or [4] destroyed. Are any of these equivalent to killing, according to the Buddhist teachings?
Answer: As an egg being successfully fertilised is exactly when consciousness of a sentient being enters meeting of the duo, if choice [2] leads to destruction, as [4] does, these two are forms of killing.
(Eggs might be frozen without fertilisation too. Failed fertilisation is not killing. As embryos are already fertilised, thus with sentient lives, whether frozen or not, to destroy them is killing.) Below are some Buddhist ways to conceive ethically.
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How to Be Good Parents With Good Children
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2015/04/how-to-be-good-parents-with-good-children
How Mindfulness Of Amituofo Can Gain Children (See Last Paragraph)
https://purelanders.com/2011/12/16/the-name-of-amituofo-is-the-supreme-mantra
