Sharia Scholars and Modern Medical Advancements: Ethical Challenges in the Age of Genomics as Example

This study offers an analytical overview of discussions about the possible role of Sharia in the age of modern biomedical advancements, especially genomics. Rather than judging specific issues from a normative juristic perspective, the main aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of contemporary Muslim jurists and their standpoints on questions related to the role of Sharia in the modern age. Modernity is epitomized here by the breathtaking biomedical advancements which have transformed many of old "impossibilities" into today's "routine". In this regard, this study examines how contemporary Muslim jurists have tried to preserve a role for Islamic Sharia and how this role is conceived of at the dawn of the genome age. The last part of the article is dedicated to presenting some critical remarks about the main themes of this study.  

Download Article Download Issue Subscribe for a year

Abstract

Zoom

This study offers an analytical overview of discussions about the possible role of Sharia in the age of modern biomedical advancements, especially genomics. Rather than judging specific issues from a normative juristic perspective, the main aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of contemporary Muslim jurists and their standpoints on questions related to the role of Sharia in the modern age. Modernity is epitomized here by the breathtaking biomedical advancements which have transformed many of old "impossibilities" into today's "routine". In this regard, this study examines how contemporary Muslim jurists have tried to preserve a role for Islamic Sharia and how this role is conceived of at the dawn of the genome age. The last part of the article is dedicated to presenting some critical remarks about the main themes of this study.  

References