Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-dfsvx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T17:42:19.715Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Genetic Engineering in Contemporary Islamic Thought

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Vardit Rispler-chaim
Affiliation:
Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel

Abstract

Muslims share with others both the interest in and the concern about genetic engineering. Naturally their reactions and views stem from general Islamic dogma and from Islamic medical ethics, but they are not unaware of Western scientific data. Particularly relevant is the Islamic religious prohibition against “changing what Allah has created.” Muslim muftis try to offer practical solutions for individuals. Islamic law is concerned about maintaining pure lineage. Consanguineous matings are very common, but induced abortions are usually ruled out. Cloning has reawakened among Muslims an old debate over the positive as well as hazardous aspects of genetic engineering.

Type
Historical Perspectives
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abd al-Aziz, I. 1994. Manhaj al-Sheikh al-Sha'rawi LiIslah al-Mujtama' Cairo: Dar al-Ma'arif.Google Scholar
al-Islami, Al-Alam. 1996a. 1–7 July.Google Scholar
al-Islami, Al-Alam. 1996b. 5–11 August.Google Scholar
Alfi, S. O. 1981. “Marry from Afar to Prevent Weak Progeny.” In Papers presented to the First International Conference on Islamic Medicine, 288–89. Kuwait: Ministry of Public Health.Google Scholar
Alfi, O., and Hathout, M.. 1981. “When the Female Infant Buried Alive Is Questioned for What Crime Was She Killed — in the Twentieth Century.” Papers Presented to the First International Conference on Islamic Medicine, 456–57. Kuwait.Google Scholar
Aqla, M. 1989. Nizam al-Usra fi al-Islam, vol. 1: 185. Amman: Maktabat al-Risala al-Haditha.Google Scholar
Al-Athimin, M. B. S. 1995. Fatawa al-Mar'a al-Muslima, vol. 2, 705706. Riyad: Maktabat Tabariyya.Google Scholar
Gustafson, J. M. 1994. “A Christian Perspective on Genetic Engineering.” Human Gene Therapy (Institute of Religion and Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, Houston) 5: 747–54. Houston: Mary Ann Liebert.Google Scholar
Al-Harandi, M. 1997. Al-Istinsakh al-Bashari waHuquq al-Shari'a al-Islamiyya. Kuwait: Sharikat Maktabat al-Alfayn.Google Scholar
Hathout, H. 1990. “The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: An Islamic Viewpoint.” Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America 22(3-4):99101.Google Scholar
Isam, G. 1991. “Embryo Research: An Islamic Response.” Medicine, Science and Law 32(1):14.Google Scholar
Islamic Ulema against genetic determination.” 1991. Al-Ahram Weekly, 11 July.Google Scholar
A1-istinsakh al-bayuluji wa-himayat huquq al-insan.” 1997. Majallat al-Azhar 8 (December): 1249–53.Google Scholar
Al-Jahiz, . 1991. Rasa'il al-Jahiz, vol. 1, 316. Beirut: Dar al-Jil.Google Scholar
Al-Jamili, Al-S. 1987. Al-I'jaz al-Tibbi fi al-Qur'an. Beirut: Dar maktabat al-Hilal.Google Scholar
Al-Kilani, A. R. 1996. Al-Haqa'iq al-Tibbiyya fi al-Islam. Damascus: Dar al-Qalam.Google Scholar
Mashru' bayan al-istinsakh al-bashari limajma' al-buhuth al-Islamiyya.” 1997. Majallat al-Azhar 7 (November): 1066–74.Google Scholar
Al-Mushidd, A. 1986. “Zawaj al-aqarib.” Al-Ahram, 4 April.Google Scholar
Pickthall, M. M. n.d. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran. New York: New American Library.Google Scholar
al-Qaradawi, Y. 1995. Sayyidati. Vol 15:778.Google Scholar
Al-Ra'y al-'Amm. 1977. 15 March.Google Scholar
Rispler-Chaim, V. 1993. Islamic Medical Ethics in the Twentieth Century. Leiden: Brill.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seydel, F. D. 1990. “Human Gene Therapy — Playing God.” In The Biology of Hematopoiesis. Georgetown University School of Medicine, 339–46. New York: Wiley-Liss.Google Scholar
Tantawi, M. S. 1996. “Istinsakh al-ajinna mughamara 'ilmiyya.” The Muslim World. 1622 December.Google Scholar
Teebi, A. 1994. “Autosomal Recessive Disorders among Arabs: An Overview from Kuwait.” Journal of Medical Genetics 31(3-4):224–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zallum, A. Q. 1997. Hukm al-Shar' fi al-Istinsakh. Beirut: Dar al-Umma.Google Scholar