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The Research Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), a centre of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) in Hamad Bin Khalifa University, hosted a public lecture on ‘Islamic Ethics in the Era of Genomics.’ |
Religious scholars and biomedical scientists participated in the seminar, organised in collaboration with the Qatar Supreme Council of Health. The event focussed on the topic of genomics, a branch of molecular genetics concerned with the study of genomes – specifically, the identification and sequencing of their constituent genes and the application of this knowledge in medicine, pharmacy and agriculture.
The session, moderated by Dr Mohamed Ghaly, CILE professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics, supported Qatar Foundation’s (QF) commitment to fostering a progressive and engaged society that is appreciative of its traditional values and heritage. As part of its key education pillar, Qatar Foundation is integrating values and principles in the learning process, with CILE being a research establishment that fits well into QF’s strategy.
Recent developments in the field of genomics brought about many changes and unprecedented ethical issues in the medical field. The lecture clarified the Islamic perspective about these issues and challenges with the participation of a renowned group of religious scholars and biomedical scientists.
Prominent speakers included Dr Khalid Alali, associate vice president for Faculty Affairs in Qatar University, who addressed the main ethical recommendations and standpoints adopted by Unesco in the field of genomics, and their possible relevance for Muslim countries.
Hatem Elshanti, scientific director of Medical Genetics Centre at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), and Dr Mohamed Naim Yasin, professor in the Faculty of Shariah at Jordan University, highlighted key ethical dilemmas that genomic technologies bring, and discussed Muslim religious scholars’ responses to the ethical questions.
Dr Tariq Ramadan, CILE executive director explained how to ensure ethical practice for the on-going genomics projects in the Gulf and Arab region.
Dr Ghaly said: “Given that new genomic technologies have brought up ethical dilemmas and questions, we believe it is important to create a platform where prominent scholars and scientists can get together to have fruitful discussions on these issues. Our goal at CILE is to disseminate Islamic ethical thought and behaviour by engaging scholars.”
