Answer
As I mentioned, semen carries living entities, and living entities belong to the spiritual energy. They are not products of matter. The jīvas are eternal and originate from the spiritual reality—they are placed into material situations, but they are not created here.
This is a very important point: living entities can never be created in this material world.
In the 1960s, when scientific advancement was rapidly growing—cloning, test-tube babies, and many such developments—scientists began to feel that one day they might even be able to create life. At that time, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was asked, “With all this progress, do you think scientists will one day be able to create a soul?”
He clearly replied: No.
The soul comes from Krishna. It is eternal. Matter is temporary. By combining temporary elements, how can you produce something eternal? It is not possible.
Matter cannot produce consciousness. It cannot produce the spirit soul.
Just observe: matter itself has no awareness. If you strike an object, there is no experiencer within it. Consciousness is the symptom of the presence of the soul—not a product of matter.
This misunderstanding—that life comes from matter—is deeply embedded in modern science. Even if people do not say it explicitly, much of contemporary scientific thinking is based on the assumption that everything, including life, is ultimately material.
This is why such a worldview can lead to godlessness. If one believes that life is merely a product of matter, then naturally the role of the divine is dismissed.
Now, technology itself is not the problem. If someone uses scientific advancement in Krishna’s service, that is beneficial. But if one becomes enamored by it—thinking, “This is everything, this is ultimate”—then one loses a valuable spiritual opportunity.
Therefore, devotees have an important responsibility, especially in the field of preaching. There is a significant challenge in addressing these ideas, particularly in the scientific arena.
As the movement grows, thoughtful and scientifically inclined devotees can contribute greatly. They can present spiritual knowledge in a language that scientists understand.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave a practical approach: take their own terminology and use it to refute incorrect conclusions—just like using someone’s own stone to break their argument.
Scientists often use complex language, but complexity alone does not solve the real problems of life—birth, death, suffering. Despite all advancement, these problems remain unresolved.
So the real contribution is to present the Vedic understanding clearly:
Krishna is the source of everything. He is behind all transformations. Life comes from life—not from matter.
If devotees can effectively present and establish this understanding, it becomes a great service.
For this, we need deep study, thoughtful analysis, and sincere preaching.
