Genethical Aspects of Research and Medical Services in Islamic Countries

Abstract

Islam has approximately 1.5 billion followers worldwide, the majority of whom live in Arabic/Islamic states with an appreciable number live in non-Islamic states.1,2 In both environments the Muslims maintain a “Code of life”, where they adhere to the instructions of Islam and respect its guidance in all aspects of their daily life. In this respect, Islam responds to person's need through the “Code of Conduct” drawn from Al-Sharea'h, the Islamic law.3,4,5,6,7,8 . The Teaching of Islamic Law include all that is required to appropriately serve the needs of the individual, the family and the community at large 3 To respond to various issues learned from Human Genome and associated studies, varieties of scientific activities, including conferences, symposia and workshops were held during the last 15 years in a number of Islamic countries to discuss the new issues arising from the scientific and technical developments and their applications in genetical practices. These include an international conference on Islamic medicine held, to discuss ethics of medicine in the light of Islamic views and a seminar on "Genetics, Genetic Engineering, the Human Genes, and Genetic Treatment An Islamic Perspective".9 Thereafter, World Health Organization (W.H.O) organized two relevant meetings. A meeting to discuss “Ethical aspects of scientific application in Genetics”, followed by another meeting to discuss the “Ethical issues in application to genetics in developing countries”, which include a large number of Islamic countries.10,11 A complementary workshop entitled: “The 1st Regional workshop on Ethical issues in Genetic counseling” was held, thereafter.12 The last three events benefited from the previously held conferences and from related “Fiqh” Council Fatwas, the guidelines of the Learned. Of significance also, is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) general guidelines on Bioethics and Human rights.13