Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Farouk MAHMOUD ISLAMIC MEDICAL ETHICS IN ASSISTED CONCEPTION
tify genetic variation …Continual development and
improvement of existing gene chip technology will
enable … to identify the genetic basis of male and
female infertility… The identification of an individual’s
genetic blueprint at birth will provide the clinician
with powerful tools to assess disease risk …” (1).
From an Islamic perspective, this pro-active technology
is desirable but poses two problems. There is
potential damage to normal embryos and does the
discarding of affected embryos create an ethical
problem. This is another area the jurists are yet to
comment. It must be emphasised that though this
technique affords sexing, Islam prohibits choosing of
the sex.
“… He creates what he wills. He bestows female
(offspring) upon whom he wills and bestows male
(offspring) upon whom he wills. Q 43:49
Cloning-Islam - Baby from
Both Man and Woman
In cloning, the nucleus from a somatic cell, is
injected into an enucleated egg and thus an embryo is
artificially created. The nucleus could be obtained
from the husband, albeit a skin cell (not from the
sperm) and injected into the enucleated egg of the
wife and the zygote is transferred into the womb of
the wife. Genetically, the offspring will be identical
to the father, for the mother contributes no genetic
material except mRNA and mitochondrial DNA from
the cytoplasm. There is no mixing of genes, no confusion
of family lineage and the pregnancy occurs
under the sanctity of marriage and the mother nurtures
and delivers the baby.
Though the wife takes part in the genesis of the
offspring it does not contribute any genetic material.
Although ethically, human cloning is not acceptable,
what is the Islamic perspective? Also, can these clone
embryos be used for research purposes? The concept
of cloning poses an interesting, or rather, tantalizing
dilemma for the jurists of Islam.
Stem Cell Technology
Stem cells which are totipotential could be
obtained from the inner cell mass from surplus IVF
embryos or generated by cloning adult cells. “Stem
cells … ability to generate additional stem cells …
generate differentiated cell types with specific functions
… a substantial amount of reprogramming
between cell fates is possible”(2)
The therapeutic potential is enormous; damaged
or diseased organs could be replaced viz. spinal cord
injury, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, cardiomyopathy,
stroke victims, arthritis and others. In
the field of research, it could provide a window for
observing embryogenesis, teratogenesis and embryotoxicity.
Does Islam permit the use of surplus IVF
embryos for research.
Discussion
The aim of this article is to address the question of
alleviating the anguish and grief of the barren couples
who need one or other of the newer technologies of
assisted conception. The infertile couple look
towards assisted conception as their last resort and do
deserve sympathy and understanding of their need to
procreate It is important to recognise that the religiosity
of the couple would dictate the need for religious
blessing of a particular method of assisted conception.
Also, we are aware that among those who cross
borders to overcome legal restrains in their ‘home
states’, some are Muslims. However, among Muslims
it would be true to say that even non-practising members
would still lean towards a Sharia-compatible
method to salve their conscience. Some Sufis who
would adopt a passive stance and leave it in the hands
of Allah but the Prophet (SAWS) promoted the seeking
of a cure with the following statement
“For every disease (except old age), God has provided
a cure”.
While it is true that despite what man attempts to
do, Allah determines the final outcome
“… Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold
it; and whatever He may withhold, none can
grant it thereafter …” Q 35: 2
Therefore Allah will grant progeny or leave barren
as He wills. The Qur’an and the Prophet certainly
promote procreation and so does the Prophet. “Marry,
procreate and abound in number”. It has been suggested
that assisted conception, particularly in vitro
42 JISHIM 2004, 3