Modern Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Bioethics in the Islamic Context

Theol Sci. 2021 Apr 19;19(2):146-154. doi: 10.1080/14746700.2021.1910914. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

During the last few decades, infertility has been discussed as a socio-cultural and medical dilemma. Infertile couples attempt to overcome this problem, including using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Similar to other groups, Muslims struggle with various aspects of infertility and its treatments, trying to reconcile the use of ARTs with the regulations in respect of the socio-cultural, legal, ethical, economic, and political factors of their community. Religion usually plays a significant role in the governance of medically assisted reproduction. This paper describes the Islamic intellectuals' permissive and restrictive opinions on modern ARTs and ethics in the Islamic context.

Keywords: Assisted reproductive technologies; Islam; Shi’a; Sunni; bioethics; sex selection; surrogacy; third-party donation.