The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: ▪ Characteristic of Jīva

Earlier in chapter 2 we have discussed life in science of karma now we shall deal with life in the science of genetics.

Numerous creatures are found on the earth. More than twenty lac species have been found till date. They range from a single cell bacteria to a gigantic whale. They are found in various kinds of climates - in the heat of scorched deserts to ice topped poles. There are variations in the habitats and food habits of creatures. Despites all this there are some similarities among creatures and those similarities determine the characteristics of creatures. All the creatures are composed of a typical chemical compound and this compound carries out a specific chemical reaction too. These chemical compounds are arranged into a unit called "cell". There are many theories in vogue about the origin of life on the earth. prominent among them are the theories of spontaneous generation, the Meteor stone theory and the creation theory, but the theory most widely accepted are given by the Russian bio-chemical scientist Operin. According to Operin life on earth originated in three stages

1. Physical evolution,
2. Chemical evolution,
3. Biological evolution

The earth was a ball of fire about five billions years ago. Whatever there was in its atmosphere all were in the form of mere elements. After the earth cooled down the existing elements formed some compounds which contained carbohydrates. These complex carbohydrates may be taken as equivalent to the chemical compounds found in some viruses. These carbohydrates possessed the capacity for spontaneous generation. Then owing to mutation, there occurred some changes in them and there came into free chromosomes, that are found in some bacterias too. With chromosomes coming in to existence took shape of a rudimentary cell nucleolus through complex structuring. Characteristic of jīva appeared for the first time in these cell prototypes. The entire process spanned a period of near about one billion years. Thus, life came into existence on the earth nearly four billion years ago.

There have been numerous experiments to prove scientist Operin's hypothesis. Stanley Miller, Yuri, Calvin and Fox scientist tried, through separate experiments, to prove operins theory of chemical evolution of life. They succeeded in producing the structural components of cell in their experiments in the laboratory under high temperature and high voltage. This confirmed Operin's hypothesis.^[86] Through experiments in genetics it was possible to show evolution in the laboratory. Such experimental evidences could be achieved in the field of animals and plant breeding. Through a cross breeding between two species of a living being comes into beings a totally new living creature. For instance cross breeding between a horse and a donkey produces a mule. The same way, through cross breeding between goat and sheep comes into being bhakari, one can bring desired variations also at will. Bull dogs and alsesion etc., dogs are good examples of such a artificial evolution. Various species of multicoloured roses available today are also examples of artificial breeding. Thus we can bring out novelties and variations among plants and creatures through cross-breeding with choice.