Jane Doe
Abstract
An article published in Human Fertility, a medical journal, titled “Assisted Reproductive Technology: Islamic Sunni Perspective,” is the article that is summarized, analyzed, and reflected on in the following paper. Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) has brought the advent of allowing pregnancy in situations that were once impossible. Couples with fertility issues could turn to ART as an option to conceive. Islam’s position on allowing any ART is set with a particular guideline. As far as the relevance of the article to the class content, there is clearly a strong correlation in ART and the rules and regulation within Islam. Looking at how Islam responds to the ART option from the ethical and legal perspective is important to understand the religious practices in modern times. The article makes a reasonable analysis of what how Islam perceives ART and the guidelines seem entirely understandable.
The following summary is based on the contents from an article published by the Human Fertility journal. The title of the article is “Assisted Reproductive Technology: Islamic Sunni Perspective,” and is written by Muslim scholars, Hassan Chamsi-Pasha & Mohammad Ali Albar. The rules of Islam are unique and specific in terms of the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to help with infertility. There are very specific guidelines for when ART is acceptable in the Muslim culture. Not all ART methods are accepted by religious standards. Only the biological man and woman who are in a marital contract are allowed to look as ART as a feasible option to their problems with getting pregnant (Chamsi-Pasha & Albar, 2015). Islam honors the act of procreation but only among a married man and woman. If sperm is frozen and the husband dies, then it is not acceptable for the woman to use the sperm to become pregnant because death brings about the end of the marital contract (Chamsi-Pasha & Albar, 2015). Surrogacy is also something that is not allowed in Islam because of the involvement of a third party individual into the process of a married man and woman’s attempt to become pregnant. Those who are not married in a heterosexual relationship are not allowed to pursue ART as an option to have children. Therefore, the overall rules of ART are applicable only to a married couple compromising of a husband and wife who are both alive and intending to stay in the marriage. Other varieties of ART are not condoned unless within the guidelines presented.
The selected article on ART according to Islam is completely in line within the context of class materials. The focus of the class materials is to explore how Muslims feel about the various issues that modern life has brought forth, such as ART. Earlier periods in history did not have the new technological capabilities that enhance one’s life, which is why a re-evaluation has to be done from the religious standpoint of Sharia Law. Muslims are devout followers of Sharia Law, and understanding how these new technologies fit into the ethical and legal beliefs of Islam. The focus of Islamic bio-ethics which is an important aspect of the subject material of the course is entirely connected to the artificial reproductive technologies that are the topic of discussion in the article. The article delivers a real life evaluation of how Islam condones ART, which establishes a deeper understanding of course materials.
After reading the article on Islamic law regarding artificial reproductive technologies, I am very clear that the guidelines set by Sharia Law make perfect sense for Muslims who pursue ART for the sake of expanding their family. If only the married couple- man and woman are involved in the process of obtaining assistance in becoming pregnant, then there is no violation of Sharia Law. Based on the religious beliefs and practices, the rule against surrogacy seems entirely understandable as well because it is likely to create problems by involving a third party for such and intimate process of having a baby. Although Western standards would deplore the unlawfulness of any other types of couples who are not in a heterosexual marriage to pursue ART to have children, based on the ethical standards of Islam it makes perfect sense. Islam is a religion that is heavily dedicated to the rules and principles that are delivered via the Quran, and to be a Muslim and ignore these laws is a sin. When looking at the strict nature of the religion and the extreme particulars in the roles men and women play, it is really no surprise to see how Muslims feel about ART. If anything, I think it is good that this option is available to those couples who have difficulty conceiving a child. Rather than ignoring the advances of technology, it seems Islam has found a way to allow the option within the most important guidelines of Sharia law.
References
Chamsi-Pasha, H., & Albar, M.A. (2015). Assisted Reproductive Technology: Islamic Sunni
Perspective. Human Fertility, (), 1-6. doi:10.3109/14647273.2014.997810
