Q & A on Cloning – ( Islamic perspective )
The following issues were discussed by the IOMS, The Fiqh Academy at Jeddah and WHO in various meetings held between the years 1980 – 2000.
Q: 1) What is cloning?
A. Cloning is the production of two or more beings that are complete genetic copies of each other.
Q: 2) How many types of cloning are there?
A. There are two types of cloning :-
- Cloning by induced identical twinning: As the fertilized egg splits into two cells, each of them is then induced to make a fresh start and behave as if it were the original fertilized egg. Each half would then grow into separate foetus, and having come from the same fertilized egg, they would be carrying exactly identical genetic components.
- Ordinary cloning: This is achieved by injecting a nucleus from a somatic cell of an adult animal into an egg whose nucleus had been removed. The cell would then grow into a foetus that would be a true genetic copy of the adult living animal from which the somatic cell nucleus was taken.
Q: 3) What is the Islamic Scholars’ view regarding cloning by induced identical twinning?
A. The Islamic Scholars have no objection, in principle to this method of fertilization, but deem it too early to evaluate its advantages and disadvantages, of its immediate benefits is the application of diagnostic methods on either twin or some of its cells to establish their normalcy before introducing into the womb. It could also be useful in treating certain infertility cases, subject to all the controls governing test-tube baby procedures. However, all cases introducing a third party into marriage, whether a womb, an egg, a sperm or a cloning cell are not permissible.
Q: 4) What is the Islamic Scholars’ view regarding ordinary human cloning?
A. Ordinary human cloning, in which the nucleus of a living somatic cell from an individual is placed into the cytoplasm of an egg devoid of its nucleus, is not permitted. If exceptional cases emerge in the future, they should be considered to verify compliance with the Shariah.
Q: 5) What are the risks involved in cloning?
A. The risks include the infringement on the individuality and identity of the person, undermining the stability of the social order, and the destruction of the bases of blood relationships and age-old family ties, recognised by the Islamic Shariah and all other religions as the foundation of the family and of social order. This would have serious repercussions on the principles governing blood ties, marriage and inheritance, as well as on civil, criminal and other laws. The Islamic Scholars outrightly reject as haram any proposals that would impinge on the legal marriage contract – introducing a third party into it.
Q: 6) What is the Islamic Scholars’ view regarding conducting research on cloning?
A. Islam imposes no restrictions on scientific research, rather considers it a religious duty and encourages it as a means of understanding God’s traditions in His creation. However, Islam advocates the doors of scientific study should not be left wide open for the application of the results of research in the public domain without proper examination by Shariah experts. Not everything that is practicable is necessarily applicable but should be free of any harmful effects and in line with the rules of Shariah.
Q: 7) What steps Muslim countries are obliged to take regarding the undue exploitation of cloning?
A. All Muslim countries are called upon to formulate the necessary legislation to prevent foreign research institutes, organizations and experts from directly or indirectly using Muslim countries for experimentation on human cloning or promoting it. Specialized committees should be set up to look into the ethics of biological research and adopt protocols for study and research in Muslim countries, and prepare a document on foetal rights as a prelude to formulate legislation on the rights of the foetus.
Source: islamset
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za ?
