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SCIENCE-RELIGION
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Table of Contents
Dr. Yashab Tur*
ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN CLONING
Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina, University of Virginia
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~aas/article/article4.htm
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~aas/issues/cloning.htm
It is obvious that in light of the limited knowledge that we have about who would be harmed by cloning or whose rights would be violated, Muslim legal rulings are bound to reflect a cautious and even prohibitive attitude to the cloning beyond treatment of infertility or assessment of genetic or other abnormalities in the embryo prior to implantation.
HUMAN CLONING: AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
http://www.crescentlife.com/wellness/human_cloning_islamic_perspective.htm
However, cloning should not be used as an alternate way of human production, even on a small scale. In my opinion, a full-fledged use of cloning technology is haram [prohibited] because it may cause three major problems:
It may cause danger to the human personality
It may cause danger to human dignity and honor
It may cause danger to human family and society
CLONING: ISLAMIC VIEW
IOMS, Recommendations of the 9th Fiqh-Medical Seminar
http://www.crescentlife.com/wellness/cloning_islamic_perspective2.htm
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 to be permitted. If exceptional cases emerge in the future, they should be considered to verify compliance with the Shari'ah [Islamic law].
CLONING: FRIEND OR FOE
Ayman Nawash, Islamonline.net
http://www.islamonline.net/iol-english/dowalia/techng-15-10/techng1b.asp
Regarding the question of permissibility, the majority of the council members after discussion reached the conclusion that cloning is permissible in case of plants as well as in case of animals except human beings. The extension of cloning to human beings would create extremely complex and intractable social and moral problems. Therefore cloning of human beings cannot be permitted.
ARGUMENTS FOR & AGAINST THE MANMADE GENESIS OF LIFE
Active-Islam.com
http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/education/0000053.php
Some Arguments against Human Cloning
God is the Creator not humans. We have no right to interfere with God's plan.
Loss of Kinship - as the clone does not really have an identifiable mother or father.
Harmful to Society/nature - may have grave consequences if this ability was to create superior beings.
May cause disruption in nature, due to possibilities of overpopulation and famine.
Unnatural - a way of reproduction that is contrary to what God has given humans.
ARGUMENTS FOR CLONING
Cloning is a form of creation that is created from materials we have,rather than from nothing - which is Gods ability only.
Islam encourages research and investigation.
Cloning Technology can be used for good purposes - new cures for diseases and conditions.
LEGAL COMMITTEE IS TOLD OF EFFORTS TO REACH CONSENSUS IN FORMULATING CONVENTION AGAINST HUMAN CLONING
M2 PRESSWIRE, 10/28/02
ELFATIH ERWA (Sudan), speaking for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the inconclusive nature of scientific research into cloning techniques raised serious concerns whether those techniques could be carried out successfully on a human being. Opposition to human cloning also stemmed from the underlying fears that the technique could fall into the hands of some unscrupulous elements who could abuse it for their nefarious purposes.
The group of Islamic States felt that the Ad Hoc Committee should be requested to proceed, as a matter of urgency, with the preparation of a draft text on the subject. It believed that with the completion of the draft, negotiations should continue to address the issues relating to therapeutic cloning. The group strongly encouraged other cloning techniques to produce DNA molecules, organs, plant tissues and cells other than human embryos. It believed that such techniques should be permitted.
MALAYSIA'S ISLAMIC DECISION-MAKING BODY BANS HUMAN CLONING
JASBANT SINGH, Associated Press, 3/13/02
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's highest religious decision-making body has banned human cloning, saying the procedure is "unnatural and totally against Islam."
Ismail Ibrahim, head of the Muslim clerical council with powers to issue a decree, or fatwa, said that the council held several discussions with local Islamic scholars before arriving at a unanimous decision. "Human cloning has generated a lot of interest around the world," Ismail told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "We do not have problems with cloning of animals or even food, but human beings are a completely different issue." Islam forbids human cloning since it goes against the laws of natural reproduction, Ismail said. Verses in the Koran, Islam's holy book, "say that the creation of human beings is brought through the reproductive seeds of a husband and wife," Ismail said. "Any procedure that does not meet this criteria is unnatural
and totally against Islam."
Kalam, an edited and moderated list and news service, seeks to build a fraternity of scholars who are interested in the discourse on Islam and science. Contributions are welcome from Muslim as well as non-Muslim scholars in the general area of Islam and science. Kalam also publishes selected articles on Islamic thought and in the general area of religion and science. You can subscribe (and unsubscribe) to Kalam by going to and following the links to subscribe or unsubscribe, by sending an email to the Associate Editor, Dr. Yashab Tur at yashab@kalam.org or MuzaffarIqbal@kalam.org. For more details visit the website: http://www.cis-ca.org