What is it about?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have increasingly given rise to bioethical issues for consumers, particularly Muslims. The Islamic perspective on GMOs is complex and goes beyond just the determination of whether food is halal or not. If the food is halal, but the process is not, then the food cannot be permitted under the Maqasid al-Shari’ah. We examine the ethical issues pertaining to GM crops and how the related ethical issues contradict with Islamic principles. Since GM technology is a contemporary issue, religious sources (Islamic) should also be referred to when drawing up the code of ethics to achieve the objective of Syariah (Maqasid al-Shari’ah). We subsequently explore how the principles of Maqasid al-Shari’ah are applied in addressing the bioethical issues.
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Why is it important?
To protect the rights of the farmers with regards to GM crops and to safeguard the practice of Islamic principles pertaining to the production of GM crops.
Perspectives
I hope this article can assist the regulators and the stakeholders during decision making process with regards to the approval of planting of GM crops. Bioethical issues should be considered in the decision making process as to protect the farmers’ rights.
DR SITI HAFSYAH IDRIS
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Science and technology (S&T) have played an essential role in boosting agricultural productivity in modern society. Progress in S&T often significantly impacts society's agriculture productivity, bringing about incalculable changes to human production and life. S&T is advanced culture. It is a critical component, an essential basis for critical decision-making and legislation, and the foundation stone of human survival and development and harmony between people and nature; it is human civilisation. S&T and sustainability are inseparable; farmers' rights should also be considered in the efforts to increase agricultural productivity and ensure global food security.
Mr. Lee Wei Chang
University of Malaya
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Beyond Halal: Maqasid al-Shari’ah to Assess Bioethical Issues Arising from Genetically Modified Crops, Science and Engineering Ethics, January 2020, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s11948-020-00177-6.
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