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The Debate on Genetically Manipulated Food An Islamic

perspectiveDate: 16/07/2013

Author: Isabel Schatzschneider

Theme: Food

Topics: "Islamic Ethics" "Environment" "Halal Food" "Food"

Bismillah Al-Rahmani Al-Rahim

(In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

The Debate on GeneticallyManipulated Food

An Islamicperspective

Since 1975, new developments in genetic engineering have had a great impact on food agriculture. Through the technique of

transferring a selected individual gene from one organism to another organism, even between non-related species, sciencemade it possible to create a wonder product. Today scientists can alter the genetic material (DNA) of a crop so that it becomestolerant to drought or resistant against plant diseases caused by pests or viruses. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)even tried to enact legislation on the approval of a genetically modified salmon in the US market. This Super-Salmon growstwice as fast as the ordinary Salmon would. The FDA has assessed that the fish is fit for human consumption and does not poseany threats to human health or to the environment. It would be the first genetically modified animal on the food market.

The US food market is a pioneer in genetically modified food (GMF) production. Approximately 85 percent of soybeans, 70percent of cotton fields and 50 percent of GM corn are transgenic.[1] Even many Muslim majority countries have indicated apositive attitude towards such new developments in genetically engineered food. Iran imports transgenic food commodities suchas edible oil, oilseed and cereals from leading biotech crop countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Canada. The UAE importtransgenic basmati and non-basmati rice, tomatoes, aubergines, maize, groundnut, potatoes and cabbage from India. [2]A

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majority of Middle Eastern countries do not yet have specific regulations which govern foods containing genetically modifiedingredients. At present Malaysia holds the lead in conducting research, organising workshops and conferences to find and builda consensus on governmental policies and Islamic responses to transgenic food. But Islamic scholars still debate if such food iseven permissible in Islam.Opponents, such as Greenpeace or Mother Earth in particular, warn that genetically modified food may have a dramatic impacton human health and the environment. Their scientists argue that there have not been enough studies yet and whether and howtransgenic food impact human health is still uncertain.The aim of this essay is to outline an Islamic perspective on the issue of genetically modified food. The paper proceeds in twoparts. Firstly, it will briefly assess Islamic ethics on food. Secondly, the debate on genetically modified food will be outlines in

relation to Islamic principles. The second part concentrates on genetic engineering and food production, environmentalcontamination, animals and intellectual property rights.

Food Ethics in Islam

Ethical behaviour in Islam is an essential component of faith. Islamic ethics include components such as behaviour,characteristics and values that are good and pure. The fundamental sources of Islam, the Quran and the Sunna (sayings andactions of the Prophet) provide man with guidelines and obligations that one has to act upon to preserve a good and healthy life.The Quran states:Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah andthe Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make

lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters thatthey used to wear (7:157). [3]When considering an Islamic conception of food ethics, we need to take either the verses from the Quran or refer to the sayingsof the Prophet which relate to rules and considerations regarding food codes. Islamic ethics emphasise food that is good,wholesome, and pure among that which is permissible (halal).[4]Food with these mentioned characteristics are called tayyib inArabic which refers to purity both in the physical and moral sense. [5]A Quranic verse says: O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing(2:172). [6]So on one side Muslims are provided with guidelines on specific food codes within the primary sources of Islam; but in order todevelop a comprehensive understanding of this issue, authentic and scientific knowledge is essential. These two components

are essential to issue a legitimate legislation (fatwa) and therefore it is essential for Islamic scholars to work closely with foodscientist and experts. Issues and questions that cannot be answered by simply referring to Quran and Hadith are addressed byIslamic scholars (ulam)by using consensus (ijm), analogy (qiys) based on the Quran and Sunna, and the personal effort,judgement or reasoning (id jtihd) of the qd. Another important component of Islamic law and with particular relevance forethics is the concept of general good or public interest (maslaha).

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[1]OrganicConsumers

[2]Landais (2007)

[3]altafsir 7:157[4]Moosa, (2009), p.136

[5]ibid.

[6]quran.com 2:172

[7]Majl (2001), p.92

[8]World HealthOrganization

[9]Adler (2011)

[10]Shaw (2005), p. 216

[11]ibid., p.221

[12]quran.com 4:119

[13]quran.com 30:30

[14]Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[15]Moosa (2009), p.138

[16]Muslim, Hadith 2361

[17]Moosa (2009), p. 139[18]Monsanto DroughtGardHybrids

[19]at-Tirmidhi, Vol.4, Book 11, Hadith 2449

[20]Quran.com, 3:190-191

[21]Quran.com 99:7-8[22]Al-Ghazali (2009), p.7

[23]Quran.com,24:41

[24]at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3078

[25]Shaw (2005), p. 225

[26]Quran.com 30:79-80

[27]Masri (2007). p. 34[28]An-Nasai, 7:206

[29]Hanani (2005), p.5

[30]Schubert (2002)

[31]Supreme Court Judgment (2004)[32]Islamweb Prophetic Prohibition against economic monopolies

[33]Mossa, p.145

[34]ibid.

[35]ibid.

[36]USDA ForeignAgriculural Service

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Bibliography:Books:Shaw, I. C. (2005). Is it safe to eat?: Enjoy eating and minimize food risks. Berlin: Springer.

Majl, Abd -S,Mehmet Ergin,Mouneef R. Zoubi.(2004) Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering for Development in the Islamic World: Proceedings of the Conference onBiotechnology and Genetic Engineering for Development in the Islamic World Held in Rabat, Morocco, 22-26 October 2001.Amman: Islamic Academy of Sciences

Articles:Jerry Adler (May 2011). The Growing Menace From Superweeds. Scientific American.http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-growing-menace-from-superweedsEbrahimMoosa (2009) Genetically Modified Foods and Muslim Ethics (in 'Acceptable Genes? - Religious Traditions andGenetically Modified Foods), New York: SunypressMohdSafian,YasminHanani (2005) Islam and Biotechnology: With special Reference to Genetically Modfied Foods; Philadelphia:MetanexusInstitute

Robert Schubert (2002) Schmeiser wants to take it to the Supreme Court; CropChoice editor

Canadian SupremeCourt Judgments (2004) Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser

Websites:Organic Consumershttp://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/GMonMarketUS.pdfLandaishttp://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/genetically-modified-food-imports-raise-concerns-1.205623World Health Organizationhttp://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/Monsanto Drought Gard Hybridshttp://www.monsanto.com/products/Pages/droughtgard-hybrids.aspx

http://pdfmyurl.com/http://pdfmyurl.com/http://www.monsanto.com/products/Pages/droughtgard-hybrids.aspxhttp://pdfmyurl.com/http://pdfmyurl.com/http://www.monsanto.com/products/Pages/droughtgard-hybrids.aspxhttp://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/genetically-modified-food-imports-raise-concerns-1.205623http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/GMonMarketUS.pdfhttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-growing-menace-from-superweeds


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