"we should do everything we can to avoid harming whatever it's possible not to harm"
I like this point of view as well. However, when you add it the idea of.
"if science in the future can make it so that we can breathe without killing bacteria, I don't see why we shouldn't opt to do that."
I'm trying to find a balance that I agree with, where we can go about 'harming' or participating in the cycle of life. But, maybe it isn't so much about the act (harm), but the intention (or lack of intention) behind the act...
Lol! You actually want to harm living organisms?!
I don't want to, but I do reconcile and attempt (if I remember to) show respect. Which I think is the point. It's almost like a reverence towards taking life. Being thankful for the life's gift. You know?
I understand how that makes you a better person, and the whole situation more ethical I guess (I would surely prefer to be killed by someone who'll feel the weight of what he did than by someone who won't), but I don't think showing respect etc. makes it okay to kill.