Embryonic research Modified

Embryonic Research In Islamic Ethical Perspective Dr Yahya Mubashar

Islamic Medical Ethics • Contemporary Medical ethical issues require moral guidance.

• Human mind working out rationally Right & Wrong • Increasingly grey areas require moral reasoning • Guided by the Divine

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Life • Preservation of Intellect • Preservation of Progeny & Lineage • Preservation of Resources • Preservation of faith & relationship with Divine

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Life – Q.Ref: 5:32, 39:53, 15:56, 12:87 – To Protect and promote good physical health – Can not prevent or postpone death – Maintain a high quality of life – Relieve stress by preventive, curative and rehabilitative measures

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Intellect – Q.Ref: 4:43, 46:26, 23:68, 30:8, 10:24, 45:13 – Restore healthy intellectual and emotional functions – Treatment of Mental diseases like Neurosis, Psychosis – Medical treatment of Alcohol and drug abuse – Alleviation of Psychological stress

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Progeny & Lineage – – – –

Q.Ref: 4:23, 40:67, 25:54 Biological nucleus family life style Ensure emotional health & moral growth Natural relationships - Mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew & grandparents – Socially safe relationships & nurturing environment for children to grow – Care of pregnant women, Fetal medicine & Paediatric medicine

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Resources – Q.Ref: 6:141, 7:31 – Healthy citizens contribute to the productivity of any community – Prevention & treatment of diseases – Promotion of health in a community – Supportive & healthy environment for individual growth

Ethical Principles derived from Quran • Preservation of Faith & relationship with Divine – Q.Ref: 2:256, 3:101, 3:103 – Encompasses all moral guidance in Quran – Develops a person’s relationship with the divine – Guidance for Modesty & Relationships

Application of Principles • Satisfy one of the five principles • More importantly • Should not violate any of these five ethical principles

Principles of Medical Practice • Principle of Intention – – – –

Q.Ref: 2:225, 33:5 Actions judged by intentions Physicians work in good faith Responsibility and conscious

Principles of Medical Practice • Principle of Certainty – – – –

Q.Ref: 47:2, 27:62, 22:28 Balance of probability In favour of benefit to patients All medical matters/procedures are permissible unless forbidden – All matters/procedures related to sexual issues are forbidden unless permissible

Principles of Medical Practice • Principle of lesser harm – – – –

Q.Ref: 4:48, 2:216-217, 59:5 Cause no harm Injury should be relieved Prevention of harm has priority over pursuit of benefit of equal worth – In two harmful medical situations – Lesser harm to prevent bigger harm – Public interests have priority over individual interest

Principles of Medical Practice • Principle of Necessity – – – – –

Q.Ref: 2:173, 24:33 Necessity legalizes the prohibited To preserve the ethical principles of Quran Limited duration and specific situations Necessity legalizes temporary violation of rights – Ends with the end of necessity

Principles of Medical Practice • Principle of Custom/Precedent – – – –

Q.Ref: 16:123 A uniform widespread and predominant practice Not a recent practice or phenomena Reasonably old enough to give chance for a medical consensus to be formed

Holy Quran • Do you not see that God has subjected to your use all things in the skies and on earth, and has made his bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, both seen and unseen? Chapter 31 Verse 20 • And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the skies and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect. Chapter 45 Verse 13