ii) Christian have many attitude to infertility treatment.
Christians agree with it because it is a good use of technology for those parents who can’t have the joy of having children and believe that everything has a purpose in life and humans’ purpose is to worship God and have babies. “Go fourth and multiply,” (Bible) and if you don’t do this you are disobeying God which is a sin so IVF should be allowed. The egg and sperm is from the parents so it would be alright.
On the other hand they also disagree they believe (mostly Roman Catholics) that life is given by god and that no one has the right of making children because that would be playing god which is a sin. It is also not allowed because they believe in the sanctity of life and IVF involves fertilizing several eggs which of some are thrown away which is killing the potential of life. All insemination and surrogacy involves the man masturbating which is a sin for Catholics.
Islam also have many attitudes to infertility treatment.
Muslims accept IVF and AIH if a couple have fertility problems as they are simply using medicine to help them which is what god wants them to do create medicines to help people and promote family life which is essential in Islam. Also, the egg and sperm is also used from the husband and wife so adultery is not committed.
Also Islam disagrees with this because also some Muslims would be against IVF altogether as throwing away the potential life. Also, some Muslims believe taking IVF is sin as its playing God which is a sin. Also Islamic lawyer have banned al embryo technology as its mandatory for a Muslim baby to know its original parents.
iii) Most Muslims are against transplant surgery and don’t carry a donor cards. They believe transplanting organs from one to another is against Gods will because the shari’ah teaches that nothing should be removed from the body after death.
Muslims believe in the sanctity of life which means that all life is belonged to God and only God has the right to give or take life.
One of the most greatest sins in Islam is said in the Qur’aan which is that god has created the body of a person, so taken parts away is like playing the role of God.
Problems are raised because a heart transplant requires it to be removed before it stops beating. This would be like taking away life and playing the role of God.
It costs a lot and requires high level skills which very few people have which means the poor would not be able to afford this.
It makes a trade of organs in the world from people developing the world and rich people in the developed world.
It raises problems whether the surgeons would try to save the donors organs to save another patient or save the patient who is a donor.
As Muslims, so do some Jews are opposed with transplant surgery because they believe that transplanting organs on from another is against Gods will. They believe this because:
Transplanting organs is breaking the mitzvoth on the sanctity of life
Organs have been created by God for a specific individual who can not be put somewhere else. It also may affect their peoples Jewishness.
B) I think I disagree that because Genetic engineering is one of the greatest discoveries of our time. It can be used for treating genetic diseases. All such new discoveries that help alleviate the suffering of humanity is welcomed in Islam.
One of rules of Islam is that it never abstracts scientific programs or narrows the scope of the mind in the field of science and technology. Unlike other religions, there is no conflict between science and religion in Islam.
The Qur’an shows that Allah, has gave us many gifts on mankind enabling them to discover the mysterious nature around them and to recognize the laws that control the universe. Allah also submits the whole universe with its heavens, earth, sun and moon to mankind.
in the Quraan it says: (See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and hath loaded you with His favors both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Scripture giving light.) (Luqman 31: 20)
it also says, (And in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure. And (also) in yourselves. Can ye then not see? (Adh-dhariat 51: 20-21)
When a persons knowledge advances, it becomes compulsory for him to deepen his faith and moral virtues. One must not go alone, doing whatever one wants, ignoring religious morals or the welfare of people in general.
The problem in Western civilization is that science is separated from religion and in some cases it fights religion.
in the Quraan it Says, (And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 205)
genetic engineering is one of the greatest discoveries of our time and is shared by many countries. Whether it is considered more important than the discovery of penicillin or man landing on the moon, we hope it is used for the benefit of humanity and that its guidelines will be according to the views of qualified jurists.
There are many benefits we can derive from this, say, for instance, in treating genetic diseases by using the effective genes to prevent harm or disease. This is something commendable in Islam according to the legal rule "Prevention is better than cure"; the rule is taken from the hadith; “There should be neither harm nor reciprocating injury.”
By this, through the assistance of such a scientific device, man will be able to prevent many diseases which are what God wants us to do, to learn more about the human body and use those discoveries to improve human life.
Islam also disagrees because in the Quraan a verse cannot be invoked as a total and ban on genetic engineering. If carried too far it would conflict with many forms of curative surgery that also entails some change in God's creation. Many ethical issues are raised by scientific development of genetic engineering. Applications such as the diagnosis, amelioration, cure or prevention of genetic disease are acceptable. The pharmaceutical possibilities of genetic engineering will open tremendous in treatment of many illnesses and the possibilities in agriculture and animal husbandry might be the clue to solving the problem of famine the world over.
The main concerns about genetic engineering lie in the area of the unknown and unsuspected future. The hazards of atomic radiation were not apparent for some time, nor could the damage be repaired, and the stakes with genetic engineering are far more serious. The introduction of genetic material from one species into another practically means the creation of a new species with mixed features. If pursued with man's inclination for seeking the unknown until it is known and the unachievable until it becomes achievable then mankind may be confronted by patterns of life yet to appear on the biological stage. Science might think that everything is under control while the case is not really so. Further, manipulating the human progeny might be extended beyond combating disease to the cultivation of certain physical characteristics considered desirable leading to elitism and discrimination against individuals who lack those characteristics. Worse still is the manipulation of behavior if genes determining behavior are isolated. The principle of tampering with the human personality and its capacity for individual responsibility and accountability would certainly be condemned by Islam. The technology itself attracts large capital for investment, and its investors will inevitably seek maximal financial return.
Bibliography
Title – Religion and Life
Author – Victor Watton
Year of publication – 2001
Place of Printing – Italy
Printers name – Hodder & Stroughton
