Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research from the Perspective of Islamic Law (Fiqh)
Human embryonic stem cells are the primary cells that have the capability of producing each of the limitless tissue types in the human body. The discovery of this capability gives new hope for disease treatments and the development of tissues and organ transplantations. On the other hand, terminating the life of a human embryo to obtain stem cells brings forth many discussions. The discussions on embryonic stem cell studies, in relation to ethical, legal, and religious perspectives, continue in both the West and Muslim societies, and different opinions have been put forward. Some contemporary Islamic scholars accept the studies about embryonic stem cells as a benefit for humanity, and thus, they support them. Another group of scholars, on the other hand, do not accept using a human embryo as an experiment object even for treatment purposes. This article discusses and evaluates the opinions on the topic based on Islamic law.
Fıkhî Perspektiften Embriyonik Kök Hücre Araştırmaları
İnsan embriyonik kök hücreleri insan vücudunda sayısız dokulardan her birini üretebilme kabiliyetine sahip ana hücrelerdir. Onların bu yeteneğinin keşfedilmesi, hastalıkların tedavisinde, doku ve organ naklinin geliştirilmesinde yeni ümitlerin doğmasına yol açmıştır. Öte yandan insan embriyosunun kök hücre elde edilmek üzere yaşamının sonlandırılması, embriyonun niteliği gereği pek çok tartışmayı beraberinde getirmiştir. Embriyonik kök hücre çalışmaları hem Batıda hem İslam dünyasında, etik, hukuki ve dinî açıdan farklı yönleriyle tartışılmaya devam etmekte, çeşitli argümanlar çerçevesinde lehte ve aleyhte pek çok görüş öne sürülmektedir. Embriyonik kök hücre araştırmaları, çağdaş İslam bilginlerinin bir kısmı tarafından, hastalıkların tedavisi bağlamında insanlığın yararına bir çalışma olarak kabul görüp desteklenmiştir. Diğer bir grup araştırmacı ise tedavi amacıyla da olsa insan embriyosunun deney aracı olarak kullanılmasını onaylamamaktadır. Bu çalışmada konuyla ilgili fıkhi görüşler ele alınıp değerlendirilmiştir.
Based on developments in embryology and biomedicine, stem cell research and its importance have increased, especially in regards to regenerative medicine. Stem cells are classified into three categories based on their source; embryonic, adult, and fetal stem cells.
Stem cells that are derived from human embryos (ESCs) are accepted as the main focus of stem cell studies. ESCs are the mother cells that have the capability of producing each type of the limitless tissues in the human body. The discovery of this ability gives new hope for the treatment of diseases, tissue development, and organ transplantations. Using ESCs as an experimental tool-either for scientific research or disease treatmentbrings much discussion. The topic is mainly evaluated in the context of human dignity and an embryo’s right to live.
On one hand, some researchers posit that producing embryos or using surplus embryos that are produced by in vitro fertilization for scientific research interferes with human dignity and it is viewed as the instrumentalization of the embryo. They point out that the dignity of the embryo should be protected as it is a human driven output and a potential human being.
On the other hand, according to researchers who evaluate the topic with a utilitarian perspective, if destroying embryos for disease treatments is more beneficial and favorable for humankind, then destroying embryos cannot be an inappropriate action. Additionally, some ideologies find it necessary to use surplus embryos for scientific studies rather than wasting them.
There are different approaches to this modern issue within the context of Islamic law. Some contemporary Islamic scholars accept the studies about embryonic stem cells as a benefit for humanity, and thus, they support them. According to them, using an embryo that is obtained from artificial insemination to produce stem cell is permissible. However, another group of scholars does not accept using a human embryo as an experiment object, even for treatment purposes.
The critical point of Islamic law’s perspective on examining embryo studies is the consideration of the exact moment that human life begins; in other words, whether an embryo is considered an actual human being or not.
Among contemporary Islamic law scholars, there are three different acknowledgments of the exact moment that human life begins: life begins when Allah breathes His spirit into a human, when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus, and when fertilization starts, whether inside or outside the womb. These perspectives are primarily addressed by Islamic scholars while discussing the production of stem cells using embryos.
According to Islam, scientific research can be evaluated within the context of researching and demonstrating Allah’s creation (Al-Ghashiyah 88/17–20). Islam encourages scientific efforts to prevent disease or provide treatments with an aim to benefit humanity. However, when the issue concerns the termination of a potential human being’s life, it is insufficient to approach the topic from the perspective of benefit. The issue of deriving stem cells from an embryo—which is a living creature that has all of the genetic characteristics of its kind—needs to be discussed in relation to the harm avoidance (def-i mazarrah) principle.
The doctrines of Islam concerning the importance of being treated (Ebû Dâvûd, Tıp, 1), place significant responsibility on its followers. However, the method that will be used to accomplish divine goals, such as treating patients and increasing the quality of life, should neither include any religious, ethical or legal problems nor create discomfort in our conscience. In other words, both the aim and the tool should be lawful. Treating the human embryo as a “spare part” and expecting it to save the lives of others should be reevaluated from a moral perspective.
