Muhsin, Sayyed Mohamed and Abdul Jalil, Mohd. Noh and Al-Akiti, Muhammad Ayman and Duriat, Fazrihan and Ahmad, Mohd Faizal and Chin, Alexis Heng Boon (2024) Synthetic human embryos, embryo models and embryo-like structures in Islam. Theology and Science--Routledge, 22 (4). pp. 1-26. ISSN 1474-6700 E-ISSN 1474-6719
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Abstract
A major breakthrough in developmental biology is the ex vivo generation of synthetic human embryos from stem cells. A comprehensive, in-depth bioethical analysis from a Sunni Islamic perspective reveals that the reproductive applications of synthetic human embryos contravene Islamic precepts of preserving lineage integrity (Hifz al-Nasl) due to disruption and confusion of kinship and familial relationships, similar to human cloning with somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, their non-reproductive applications in generating replacement tissues/organs, serving as in vitro experimental models of human development and disease, and testing platforms for evaluating pharmaceuticals and biomedical devices appear to align with Islamic principles.
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