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Summary of Question:	Animal Testing
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 5/19/2002 4:16 AM MDT

Sat Sri Akal jee,

Where does sikhi stand with regard to animal testing? It maybe for medical reasons, such as a cure to find cancer where they "experiment" on animals.

If there is nothing said about this by the guru's, what are your views?

Thank you for your time

Baljit

[email protected]

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Sat Siri Akal, ji.

Guru instructs us to see the light of God in every living being, and His Will in all actions. Remember-the Guru is a spiritual guide through the world of Maya. Sometimes, Maya confuses us and the answer from the Guru isn't to side with one side of an argument or another, but to lead us out of the duality of argument all together.

Like so many human discoveries, medical technology and science are not, in and of themselves, right or wrong, good or bad. It is what we do with that power that counts. Personally, I don't like animal testing of ANY kind. But I can understand how, in some cases-like when the research is done to help heal or prevent a disease-I wouldn't take any action to stop it. When animal testing is done on every day cosmetics like shampoo and lipstick-then it seems we are abusing our power in the name of serving our desires and vanity. So-it's really a question of the intention behind the animal testing. If the intention is truly serviceful, then I personally believe it can be understood. But if the intention is to use the animals to increase our own power, wealth, etc.-then I think it is not good for the soul or the pysche to do it.

I hope this helps answer your question.

GPK