Re: Stem Cell research
^^ but do you agree or disagree or you have the vatican decide these matters for you, so whateverthey say is the word.
Re: Stem Cell research
Verizon, I support the Vatican position personally as far as embryonic stem cell research goes, I would like to see more work being done with adult stem cells trying to make them a more viable option. Personally, I also would never have an abortion or consider one, also, because of this.
As far as voting or legally, I support abortion or stem cell research. I have no right to impose my views on others. I am a VERY firm believer in seperation of church and state, simply because history has taught us the importance. If there is a posibility of saving someone through this who am I to stop it because of my religious views.
This is not an acceptable position according to many religious people I know, but it is my decision to do things that way.
In the end the final judgement is Gods to make.
Re: Stem Cell research
^^:jazak: 
Re: Stem Cell research
Reading this thread, seems to me, atleast for stem cell research, Islam offers far more lattitude compared to Vatican's permissibility.
Re: Stem Cell research
Sure.
That makes it even more important that I am not cramming my views down your throat, doesn't it? One of the reasons I believe there should be a definite seperation of church and state in order to preserve an individual's rights.
:)
Re: Stem Cell research
Minah my applasue was for that particular reason I should have quoted you and highlighted. Bravo.
Re: Stem Cell research
That’s because Islam views an embryo as being a person from 40 days after fertilisation, whereas the Catholic Church views the acts of fertilisation as creating a person.
Re: Stem Cell research
religions operate on suppression and unchallenged submission, while science demands the very opposite.
That’s what you’d think. Work in the research field and you’ll see that its not ideal - only the main scientist in the lab gets to think - the rest must submit to him/her. 
Humans are dogmatic in their ways, even in science.
Re: Stem Cell research
THE ISLAMIC VIEWPOINT ON CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN MEDICINE:
• HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANTION
• CLONING
• ABORTION
• TEST-TUBE BABIES
Speakers:
Dr. Abdul-Wajid Hamed, Paediatrician
Dr. Salman Rahman, Molecular Biologist
Held: Thursday 24th October 2002
There have been immense scientific developments by scientists. These have been in the fields of biology, foetal sciences, sciences of cells, medical biology, genetic engineering, stem cell technology as well as animal cloning, as a preface for human cloning. These developments have exceeded all expectations and have been acknowledged with amazement.
Although science is common and not particular to specific viewpoint in life, its products and its applications, are to be used according to the Ahkam Shari‘ah (Divine Texts). In light of this the two distinguished speakers explain the Islamic viewpoint towards this subject based upon the Islamic evidences through the process of Ijtihad (how these rules are extracted).
The Islamic Verdict on Cloning and Organ Transplantation - Dr. Salman Rahman, Molecular Biologist
click here to download
http://www.dawah.tv/broadcast/clone1.mp3
Can Islam provide a dolution for contemporary problems Dr. Abdul-Wajid Hamed, Paediatrician
click here to download
http://www.dawah.tv/broadcast/clone2.mp3
Re: Stem Cell research
The Islamic Verdict on Stem Cell Research
uploaded 06 May 2001
The advent of the human genome map has encouraged the arrogant to assume the mantle of the Creator. Some claim that this knowledge will enable man to conquer disease and produce life. The Qur’an explains:
“He has created everything and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements” [TMQ Al-Furqan: 2].
Allah (swt) created everything in a precise way. He (swt) fashioned his creations such that they are equipped to fulfil their needs. Each is a creation made with wisdom and exact measure. Creation (khalq) is making something from nothing, not something from what already exists. Dolly the sheep was the product of cloning. She was not created but produced through an understanding of what already exists.
The objective of science is to formulate an appreciation of the knowledge that sustains the universe. Cloning, as a scientific discovery, can only be done because certain laws exist that govern the processes of life. If these laws were not present there would be no life, and there would be nothing to study.
A development that allowed for the successful cloning of the sheep was the use of stem cells. The British government’s Chief Medical Officer has recommended that Parliament approve therapeutic cloning; that is to grow human organ-specific tissue from pluripotent stem cells. Parliament has since approved this.
All the tissues in our bodies are derived from stem cells, thus they could be used to grow new tissues. They exist naturally in the body and are there to replace cells that are lost through natural processes. We lose cells all the time from various parts of our bodies. Stem cells exist in each location to replace those that are lost. Normally they divide just enough to maintain the organ’s healthy state, but in cases where there is accidental damage or a disease, which affects a tissue or an organ, then sometimes the stem cells are not able to divide fast enough to replace the damaged tissue.
It is thought that by isolating the stem cells, manipulating their development into specific tissues and then growing them in a test tube, stem cells can be used to replace lost cells in the human body. Examples of this include the use of insulin-secreting cells in diabetes, nerve cells in strokes or Parkinson’s disease and liver cells to repair cirrhosis (irreversible liver damage). Studies, mainly in mice, have demonstrated that stem cells can be made to differentiate into specific cell types and that cells developed this way can be successfully transplanted.
From the perspective of the Hukm Shari, it is the use of stem cells that needs to be examined to determine if it is halal or haram.
Stem cells, as suggested by the government’s expert group, can be derived from a number of sources:
- From some adult tissues (such as bone marrow)
- Early embryos made through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) that are not needed for infertility treatment
- Early embryos made by inserting the nucleus from an adult stem cell into an egg with its nucleus removed, i.e. cloning
- From the germ cells or organs of an aborted foetus
- From the blood cells of the umbilical cord at the time of birth
Problems arise when the properties and potential of these different cell sources develop into particular tissues. Stem cells derived from early embryos have the potential to develop into a greater variety of different tissues. The potential of tissues from the umbilicus, foetuses (mature embryos) and adult tissues are more limited.
- Use of adult tissues to produce stem cells
If the origin were a live human being then this would be allowed with his consent. This is because the person has a legal (Shari) authority over his organs. For example, if a person’s hand or eye is removed by another person, then the wounded can take diya (blood-money). The victim also has the right to choose forgiveness. From the Shari point of view he has final say over the organs and has the right to make decisions regarding them. Hence, he can donate his organ to somebody who needs it. Allah (swt) has allowed forgiveness or diya. The Qur’an states:
"But if the relatives (or one of them) of the killed (person) forgive their brother (the killer) something (i.e. not to kill the killer by accepting the blood-money in murder) then the relatives should demand blood-money in a reasonable manner, and the killer must pay with handsome gratitude. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your lord" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 178].
However, for a donor to donate an organ the organ should not be vital for his own life. Stem cells fulfil this requirement.
The Qur’an clearly explains:
"Do not kill yourselves" [TMQ An-Nisa’: 29].
Deriving cells from dead adult tissue would not be allowed. Aisha (ra), the mother of the believers, narrated that the Prophet of Allah (saw) said, "Breaking the bone of a dead person is just like breaking it when he is alive" [Abu Dawood].
- Use of IVF to produce stem cell
This is where stem cells are derived from early embryos, which are no longer needed for infertility treatment (‘spare embryos’). From the Shari point of view this would be allowed.
IVF as a means to aid fertilisation between a husband and wife is allowed according to Ijtihad from Qur’an and Sunnah. Anas (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Marry the affectionate who is prolific; I will be boasting about your number to the Prophets on the Day of Judgement."
The nature of the IVF process is that embryos will be formed that will not be needed for placement in the woman’s womb. These can be utilised for the purpose of producing stem cells. This is because they would be considered najus (impure). The Hukm Shari has allowed for the use of najus in the pursuit of medical treatment.
Qatadah narrated on the authority of Anas (ra) that the people from Uqul and Urena came to the prophet (saw) and spoke to him about Islam, and the people of Medina were suffering from gastrointestinal disease, so the Prophet (saw) ordered them (the people from Uqul and Urena) to protect themselves from this illness. He instructed them to go outside of Medina and to drink from the urine and milk of the Camel (Bukhari, Muslim & Musnad of Ahmad).
It is permitted to consume najus in the pursuit of medical treatment. In the above hadith the Messenger of Allah (saw) ordered some people visiting Madinah to seek preventative treatment in the form of the najus. This establishes its legality from a Shari perspective.
These embryos would not be considered as dead since they never had life. Imam Muslim narrates from Ibn Mas'ud that he said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying, "When 42 nights have passed on the nutfah (mixed male and female discharge of semen), Allah sends an angel to form it. He creates its hearing, vision, skin, flesh, and bones. Then the angel says, O Allah! Male or female?" In another narration "40 nights" was mentioned instead of 42.
- Use of cloning to produce stem cells
By taking a living cell from a human, taking out the nucleus and implanting it in a woman’s egg, an embryo can be produced. This process allows for genetic selection.
An example would be the correction of faulty DNA in mitochondria that at present result in more than 50 inherited metabolic conditions. Mitochondria are small energy-producing structures within each cell. They can only be inherited from the mother and they contain a tiny bit of DNA, the vast majority being in the cell nucleus.
It is postulated in the British government appointed Expert Groups Report on therapeutic cloning that, 'it may be possible to prevent a child inheriting damaged mitochondria from the mother by inserting the nucleus of the mother's egg into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria which has had its nucleus removed.” The report continues to explain that, “the egg formed in this way would then need to be fertilised by the father's sperm using in vitro fertilisation techniques. Any child born would inherit its nuclear DNA from the mother and the father plus healthy mitochondrial DNA from the donor egg.”
This is haram (forbidden) from Islam. By using the donor egg this leads to loss of kinship. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that he heard the Prophet of Allah (saw) say, "Any woman who introduced to some people an offspring that does not belong to them, then she has nothing to do with Allah and she will not enter Paradise; and any man who denies his son while looking at him, Allah will not reveal Himself to him and Allah will disgrace him in front of the first and last generations."
The purpose of stem cell production through cloning would be to eradicate genetic faults. It would mean choosing the characteristics among males and females regardless of marital status. Genetic elements would come from three sources: the husband, wife and a third female with the correct mitochondrial DNA. This would result in kinship being lost and mixed. This would prevent the application of many of the Sharia rules such as those related to marriage, alimony, inheritance, custody, Maharim and 'Usbat (forbidden consanguinity).
The Qur’an quotes the cursed Shaytan:
"I will command them to change the creation of Allah" [TMQ An-Nisa: 119].
According to the Hukm Shari the domain of cloning is restricted to plants and animals only.
- Use of germ cells /organs of an aborted foetus to produce stem cells
In line with the discussion surrounding the use of embryos from IVF, the use of aborted foetuses to extract stem cells from them would be allowed only if the foetus was less than 42 days old (according to the hadith narrated by ibn Mas'ud).
- Use of blood cells of the umbilical cord to produce stem cells
The Umbilical Cord is considered najus from the Hukm Shari. It can be used to extract stem cells if it is required for medical treatment or research. This is in line with the Shari opinion on the use of embryos from IVF.
The 'Ethical' argument
In relation to the use of embryos, the Kuffar are torn between two opposing points of view. One body of opinion says that the use of any embryo for research purposes is unethical and unacceptable on the grounds that an embryo should be accorded full human status from the moment of its creation. The other body states that the embryo deserves no particular moral attention whatsoever.
The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 1990 regulated the use of embryos in medical research. It allowed for the making and use of embryos, arguing that the embryo is special as a potential human being. The act asserts that respect is at a minimum when the embryo is in its early stages, hence, it would be suitable for medical research. Apparently, the judgement to use embryos is reconciled through benefit. Potential benefits from research on an embryo, outweighs the need to preserve it.
This is characteristic of the Kuffar. They do not think about the consequences of their actions, as they do not view actions as a path to Jannah or Jahannam. They view actions only as a means to an end. Since they do not refer to Allah’s (swt) revelation, they are constantly opening 'Pandora’s Box.’ Clearly, deciding matters for themselves is a grievous mistake.
Islam, by means of Ijtihad, is dynamic. Islam’s boundaries clearly demarcate what is allowed and what is not through the Hukm Shari. Stem cells can be used from live adults, umbilical cords, IVF embryos and aborted foeti under 40 or 42 days gestation. They cannot be extracted through cloning, dead human tissue and foeti above 40 or 42 days.
Good and bad are defined by Allah (swt)
The concept of good in Western civilisation correlates with man’s desires. Man, as an individual, committee or a government, is unable to act in a way that benefits humanity as a whole. Left alone, human beings will feed cattle the dead remains of other animals, not aware of the consequences and then not rectify their actions but hide them. A court may rule that a Siamese twin may be killed at the expense of her sister based upon case law originating from the 1890s. Homosexuals will strive to have and bring up children despite the consequences to society.
Only Allah (swt) can define the way man should live. Only the Creator, Allah (swt), has full knowledge of good and bad, of what will bring prosperity and what will bring disaster. He (swt) is aware of the past, present and future. He (swt) created human beings and knows his nature, what will satisfy him and what will make him miserable. Accordingly, the only fit means by which a human being should live is by the system of Islam.
Muslims underneath the Khilafah would have the expertise and technology to utilise stem cells. These primitive cells which can be encouraged to grow and develop into more specific tissues such as skin, neurons and pancreatic tissue could be used to treat burns, Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis or even head injury.
Unlike the Kafir scientists the Muslim would be motivated by the worship of Allah (swt) and not profit, power, status or even ethical or humanitarian reasons. Under the carefully regulated system of Islam he or she would not be allowed to follow their desires, despite some potential perceived benefit to humanity. Rather the whole process would be carefully monitored by the taqwa of the individual, Hukm Shari and the State, which is there to look after the affairs of the Ummah and not to make people rich.
The failure of Muslims has been their inability to implement Islam in its totality. For over one thousand years the Islamic State demonstrated how science and technology could be brought together in harmony with the environment and with respect to Allah's (swt) creation. We led mankind in every field of life. Islam still has all the answers for man's problems, but with the absence of the Islamic State, these solutions will continue to go unrecognised.
Dr Saqib Latif