Answered by Muftī Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
What is the opinion of scholars on creating transgenic organisms? A lot of scientific research requires the utilization of genetically modifying the DNA of rodents and other animals. Is it permissible to do this? Is tampering with the DNA allowed?
Answer:
In the Name of Allāh, the Almighty, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind.
Thank you/ Jazāk Allāh Khayr for contacting Mathābah for your question.
Transgenic refers to an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of one or more foreign DNA sequences from another species by artificial means. Transgenic organisms are generated in the laboratory usually for the purpose of research.
If transgenic organism and genetic modification of DNA in species is used to prevent or treat disease whether by means of gene surgery by replacing a gene with another, or introducing a certain gene into a patient’s cells, or inserting a gene into another living being to reproduce that gene in larger amounts for use in treating a disease, it would be deemed permissible under Islamic law. If, however, the process is to alter the genetic structure for eugenics, to tamper with genes in order to affect a person’s character, natural hormones [or other qualities], to interfere with the ability to be individually responsible, and or to create hybrid living beings for the purpose of entertainment or scientific curiosity, it would be islamicaly prohibited and impermissible according to Islamic jurisprudence.
(Refer to Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences, Heredity, Genetic Engineering, the Human Genome and Genetic Medicine: an Islamic Perspective, Islamic Fiqh Council of Jeddah, Maqāsid Al-Shari’ah, Al-Ma’had Al-Orubīy, Page 25[1], Uṣūl Al-Nidhām Al-Ijtimāi’ī, Page 17, Al-Sharikah Al-Tūnisiyyah[2])
“If anyone saves a life, it shall be as though they had saved the lives of all mankind.” – (Qur’ān 5:32)[3]
“[That is] the fiṭrah of Allāh upon which He has created [all] people. There is no change in the [natural way of the] creation of Allāh.” – (Qur’ān 30:30)[4]
“He (the Devil) said, “Surely I will take an appointed share from Your slaves, and I will lead them astray, and I will tempt them with false hopes, and I will command them, whereby they shall slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them, whereby they shall alter the natural creation of Allāh.” “Whoever takes the Satan for a friend, instead of God, incurs an obvious loss.” – (Qur’ān 4:119)[5]
“Allāh is the Creator of both sickness and medicine. He has stipulated a cure for every sickness therefore seek out treatment [for good health and well-being]!” – (Bukhārī 1754)[6]
“A necessity dictates ease for the extent of the necessity” – (Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 2, Page 42, Dār Al-Fikr[7])
“Protection of life [and health] is second in merit after preservation of religion in the list of the five objectives (maqāsid) of religion.” – Muftī Khālid Saifullāh Al-Raḥmānī
And Allāh Knows Best
[1] حفظ النفس وهو حفظها من جميع أسباب التلف والفساد – مقاصد الشرعية لعبد الله بن يوسف الجديع ص ٢٥
[2] والفطرة ما فُطِر أي خُلق عليه الإنسان ظاهراً وباطناً أي جسدًا وعقلاً فسَيْرُ الإنسان على رجليه فطرة جسدية ومحاولة مشيه على اليدين خلافُ الفطرة وعمل الإنسان بيديه فطرة جسدية ومحاولة عمله برجليه خلافُ الفطرة واستنتاج المسبَّبات من أسبابها والنتائجِ من مقدماتها فطرةٌ عقلية ومحاولةُ استنتاج الشيء من غير سببه المسمى في علم الجدل بفساد الوضع خلافُ الفطرة العقلية والجزم بأن ما نشاهده من الأشياء هو حقائق ثابتة في نفس الأمر فطرة عقلية وإنكار السفسطائية ثبوتَها خلافُ الفطرة العقلية – أصول النظام الاجتماعي لابن عاشور ص ١٧ الشركة التونسية
[3] وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا – سورة المائدة ٣٢
[4] فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ – سورة الروم ٣٠
[5] وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ الشَّيْطَانَ وَلِيًّا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُّبِينًا – النساء ١١٩
[6] إنَّ اللهَ تعالى حيث خلق الدَّاءَ خلق الدَّواءَ فَتَدَاوَوْا – رواه البخاري ١٧٥٤
[7] الضَّرُورَةَ تَتَقَدَّرُ بِقَدْرِهَا – حاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج ٢/ ص ٤٢ دار الفكر
