In this short editorial, Damien Keown discusses Buddhist perspectives on stem cell use. He outlines the conditions under which use of stem cells may be acceptable. Therapeutic use of stem cells is not objectionable in principle, unless the stem cells were acquired through harming a living being. The use of stem cells from aborted fetuses is a complex issue for which there no clear consensus. Further, those in traditionally Buddhist countries do not always appear to act strictly according to Buddhist principles when it comes to bio-ethical decisions. Abortion is generally seen as taking the life of a human (and therefore is negative), but South Korea, a traditionally Buddhist country, has a reputation as an "abortion paradise." (Zach Rowinski 2005-01-01)