Bioethics Interviews

To understand more about the global perspectives on a field fraught with ethical considerations as synthetic biology, we spoke with Sherine Hamdy, scholar of Islamic Bioethics.

1. Can you tell us about the origins of islamic bioethics?

Islamic bioethics is not a formal field of study, but rather it exists as a branch of the bigger field of islamic jurisprudence. Modern technologies and advances in biology and healthcare have spurred conversation among doctors, patients scholars of islamic law. These conversations though are not legally binding and more closely resemble advice and guidelines. With that said, traditions vary from region to region with Islamic bioethicists bearing a more formal role in institutions of Saudi Arabia.

2. How might bioethics differ based on geographic region (within sect)? Is there a difference in interpretation in Saudi Arabia Vs. Egypt?

There is a wide range of interpretations in Islamic law especially in Sunni world, lending to the plurality of opinion. Monarchical government structures, such as that in Saudi Arabia, generally do not consider the population’s opinion, resulting in more streamlined policy decisions but less representation of the people. However, historically in Egypt policy served the convenient purpose of appeasing the people as a counterweight to authoritarianism.

3. Does a stricter doctrine necessarily mean a more restrictive biological praxis?

Absolutely not and it is useful to separate interpretation of scripture from permissions and prohibitions. In Iran the state appoints islamic scholars as part of legislation producing governments, so Iran is a true theocracy. The scholars there permit infertile heterosexual couples to use donor egg and sperm to alleviate infertility, but this opinion is not as widely accepted in Sunni states with equally rigorous, though different, interpretation of Islamic law.

4. Does Islam see a tension in humanity’s manipulation of another organism’s DNA, the code that defines the chemical essence of that organism, and its espoused mandate to save lives when possible?

The framing of the question here matters: Islam is not one person or one entity so Islam itself cannot see a tension in anything. Scholars and interpreters, however, lend their advice on the controversial subject of permitted interactions among forms of life on the planet. No one person or view speaks on behalf of Islam, but the tradition should be celebrated for its diversity and the liveliness with which the debate plays out everyday. Islam is clear on the hierarchy of life question - saving a human life trumps a bacteria’s life. When weighing ethical imperatives in Islam, we recognize the larger ecological and sociopolitical environments in which we live too.

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