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H. A. FAHIM, Ex-Director, Islamic Affairs Division, Prime Ministers Dept, Malaysia and H. M. D. Syamsuddin, Secretary General, Indonesian Council of Ulama, Indonesia. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are something new for Muslim scholars to consider, especially when it relates to food products. However, Muslim scholars are encouraged to study new technology that might be accepted for a better life for humans. This includes not only newer ingredients from conventional raw materials, but also GMO products. To determine whether GMO products are Halal or not, one has to go to the principles of Halal (lawful) and Haram (forbidden) in Islam, as guided by the Quran and the Hadith, while observing the following principles: (1) anything that is harmful to the human body is Haram; (2) four types of food are clearly Haram—carrion, blood, swine, and dog flesh, and anything immolated to anyone other than God. GMO products are lawful if they originate from lawful sources, including genes from lawful animals. They become Haram, or highly questionable, if they originate from unlawful sources such as genetic material from pigs or dogs. However, an unlawful GMO product may become lawful in times of emergency, such as to avoid starvation or an illness leading to death. The Malaysian fatwa (religious verdict) on GMO states that: (1) any food or drink involving pig DNA is Haram; (2) the use of pig DNA in food, drink, and usable goods does not meet the emergency criteria, as there are alternative sources available. However, GMO products from pig or dog may be allowed for external use, such as cosmetic products. The reason is that the physical element of pig or dog cannot be detected or traced in the product, whether during processing or in the finished product. Therefore, according to Islamic principles, they do not have to meet the criterion of prohibition.
Session 40, Biotechnology and religion
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |