Since
the tragic events of September 11, Islam has been under extreme criticism and
scrutiny from conservative Christians, politicians, and ordinary people both
Muslim and non-Muslim alike, more than any other era of its history. During this
process, the core teachings of Islam have been the focus of lengthy discussions
both in the print and broadcast media - mainly tainted with offensive metaphors.
Most dishearteningly, its critics have repetitively branded Islam as primitive,
anti-development, and out-of-touch with modern living. Muslims, on the other
hand, recognize Islam as a comprehensive religion that covers all facets of
human life; a religion that, while the West was enveloped in its Dark Ages, laid
the foundation for scientific thought and paved the way for the scientific
developments we see in the world today.
Muslim
intellectuals and scholars, in addition to advocates of Islam, have for the most
part focused on refuting the recent barrage of criticism by explaining the basic
teachings of the religion and Islam’s contributions to Western civilizations.
Although this forms a very important steppingstone for attaining a higher level
of understanding of the Islamic faith, Muslims seem to be stuck on the
historical rhetoric rather than dealing with contemporary social issues in
science and technology that are in much need of their attention. The
participation of Muslims in the controversies centering on the impact of life
science technologies on human lives, morals and values remains negligible.
Muslims
seem to be stuck on the historical rhetoric rather than dealing with
contemporary social issues in science and technology |
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Some
of the most intensively and extensively debated issues include the human genome
project, human cloning, reproductive technologies, surrogacy, abortion,
euthanasia, organ transplantation, gene banks, cryopreservation of human bodies
for resurrection, genetic engineering of plants and animals, consumption of
products from cloned animals, bio-factories, evolutionary theories, and
environmental conservation. There has been tremendous progress in the life
sciences in the past two decades and life science advocates have promised
immortal and ageless humans, cures for dreaded diseases, abundant human spare
organs, and abundance of improved food for all. As a result, the 21st century is
acclaimed to be the century of the life sciences. The progress in bio-medical
(agricultural and medical) technologies in particular is directly touching the
lives of both Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike more than any other era of
human history because of the advanced information technologies coupled with
aggressive marketing - propelled by an aggressive media. The advance in
biomedicine has created high hopes for improving human life but it has also
created a gamut of hotly debated social issues.
In-Depth,
Informed Stances Needed
The
Judeo-Christian scholars and communities have played a very active role in
shaping those social issues in every arena and have never missed an opportunity
to express their views. The highly organized religions or beliefs with a
centralized governing body such as the Roman Catholic Church have collectively
expressed their stance on such issues. Moreover, their input has been actively
sought by governments for decision-making regarding the above-mentioned
controversies (they have representatives in government-appointed bioethical
panels). However, the stance of Muslims on these contentious life-touching
issues is very wanting and there has been no collective stance, other than a few
declarations issued by Ulama (Muslim scholars) of certain countries. Even these
statements have been mere declarations of prohibited or allowed (haram or halal)
for a given product or technology without giving explicit information on the
issues surrounding it.
Mere
declarations of “haram or halal” on a given product or technology is
not enough for making an informed decision. |
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It
is thus of utmost importance for us to fully understand the theological position
of Muslims in bio-medical issues, since these technologies are putting to the
test the very basic moral fabric of individuals, families, and communities.
Besides, there is a heightened awareness and interest to learn the basic
teachings of Islam most recently at a time when Islam is becoming a rapidly
growing religion in many parts of the world. There is thus a need to provide
background information on controversial issues, the views of different
stakeholders (economic, political, and ideological interest groups), and the
Islamic perspective through the views of Muslim scholars and scientists, and
finally the stance of ordinary Muslims whose lives are increasingly being
touched by modern bio-medical technologies.
Bio-medical
issues are very complex because of the intricacy of the very nature of the
technology, and the diversity of interest groups involved. Therefore, it is
important to fully understand the technological, economical, political, and
spiritual issues surrounding the life science controversies rather than issuing
mere statements of halal or haram.
The
Way Forward
To
overcome these drawbacks and to close the current knowledge-gap, the following
actions are recommended:
1.
Establishment of an independent Islamic bioethics panel to serve as an advisory
panel to Islamic governments and communities. For the panel to be effective and
efficient in handling issues, it should meet the following fundamental
conditions:
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It should be an interdisciplinary panel composed of respected Islamic Ulama,
life science scientists, ethicists, educators, policymakers, lawyers, and
community leaders. The panel members must also represent the diversity of Muslim
communities all over the world.
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The bioethics panel must be proactive, committed, credible, and visible in
public arenas - both in Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
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The panel’s views, declarations, memorandums, reports, and conference
proceedings on bio-medical issues should be readily accessible to the general
public and not kept on shelves.
2.
Training of Muslim bio-ethicists. This new breed of professional should have
broader training in ethics, life sciences, and Islamic law.
3.
Incorporation of bio-medical issues in school curriculums in order to educate
the younger generations. The Muslim youth is more technologically adept than
older generations and they are more exposed to the current social issues through
modern media. They need to have a comprehensive understanding of the impact of
science and technology on their communities.
4.
Community education through open and accessible public forums, debates,
community presentations, online discussion groups, and the full utilization of
both the broadcast (radio and TV) and print media (Internet, newspapers,
magazines, books, etc).
For
the time being, let the historical debates and rhetoric rest while Muslim
scholars and intellectuals focus on contemporary social issues in the life
sciences. The only way individuals, families, or communities can make informed
decisions on the issues facing them, in addition to participating in
intellectual debates, is by allowing them to be fully informed on the matters
that touch their very own lives. These debates on biomedicine are very complex
and ever-changing, warranting explicit explanations of the pros and cons of
every single issue and keeping abreast of those fluid debates on a daily basis.
*
A scientist and writer interested in science and society, Dr. Dirie is currently writing a book titled, “The Brave-New Era of Life Science: Where do Muslims stand on the Contentious Issues of Modern Living?” The author can be contacted at adirie2001@yahoo.com.
