Al-Bar M.A., Chamsi-Pasha H. Contemporary Bioethics. Islamic Perspective

Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland, 2015. — 273 p. — ISBN: 978-3-319-18427-2.Contemporary Bioethics: Islamic Perspective, by Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Bar and Dr. Hassan Chamsi-Pasha, is a timely contribution in the field of Islamic bioethics. The book is authored by two prominent practitioners of medicine in Saudi Arabia with an impressive knowledge of Islamic religious sciences and legal-ethical rulings on various topics of clinical significance. Rapid advancement in the innovation of medical technology has given rise to the critical need for expansion of the bioethical field to keep up with medical practice and research while relating the ethical decisions to their religious sources and reliable medical knowledge. Muslim bioethicists are struggling to keep pace with and produce answers to the questions posed by the medical establishment. The early phases of Islamic bioethics saw a number of medical professionals taking up to write on various issues in medical practice and research. Some of these early works were supplemented by Muslim legal scholars who teamed up with medical professionals to write responses to religious questions for clinical cases that required careful analysis of Islamic tradition and jurisprudence to provide dependable rulings. The present works are now being authored by some medical professionals who also have a good understanding of the religious sources that provide spiritual and moral guidance for complicated medical cases.Introductory Chapters
Introduction
Ethics in this Study
Some Important Concepts Related to Islamic Legal-Ethical Tradition in this Study
Chronology of Bioethical Issues that were Resolved Through Legal-Ethical Juridical Methodology
The Present StudyThe Sources of Common Principles of Morality and Ethics in Islam
Introductory Remarks
Gender Equality, the Hallmark of Islam
The Ithna ‘Ashariyya — Twelvers — of Iraq
Predestination and Science
The Attributes of God
Objective Good and Evil
The Position of a Sinner
The Position of Philosophy in IslamThe Origins of Islamic Morality and Ethics
The Objectives of the Religious Law (The Shari’ah)
The Value of Man
The Aims of Islamic Religious Law
The Importance of the Preservation of the Five Objectives
Seeking Remedy
Fundamentals of Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul al Fiqh)
Subsidiary Sources
Al Maslaha and al-Masalih al-Mursalah
Urf and A’da
Sadd al-Dhara’i
Shar’min Qablana (The Laws of Previous People of the Book)Virtue Ethics and Moral Character Related to Medical Profession
The Motive
Integrity
ConscientiousnessRegulation of Medical Profession and Medical Research
The Medical Oaths and Codes
Confidentiality
The Oath of a Muslim Physician
Ethical Codes
Consent
Stem Cell Therapy
DecisionThe Four Principles of Biomedical Ethics with an Islamic Perspective
Autonomy
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Social BeneficenceJustice: The Lost Value
Wars and Health
Children in Labor
Maldistribution of Wealth
Global Situation
Conclusion: What Should We Aim For?Selected Topics
Abortion
Definition of Abortion
Moral Issues Connected with Induced Abortion
Abortion Incidence
Unsafe Abortion
Teenage Pregnancies
Abortion and in Vitro Fertilization
The Historical Aspect of the Legality of Induced Abortion
Abortion and Birth Control
Religious Aspects of Abortion
Abortion in Islam
Abortion and Population Control
Other Indications
Abortion on Demand
Punishment for Causing a Pregnant Woman to MiscarryAssisted Reproductive Technology: Islamic PerspectiveIslamic View of Infertility
Artificial Reproduction
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Outcomes of ART
Islamic Views of ART
Third-Party Assistance
Surrogacy
Shia’s Views on ART
Cross Border Treatment for Infertility
Cryopreservation and the Use of Preserved Sperm
Gender SelectionEthical Issues in Genetics (Premarital Counseling, Genetic Testing, Genetic Engineering, Cloning and Stem Cell Therapy, DNA Fingerprinting)
The Progeny — Islamic Views
Genetic Disorders
Genetic and Congenital Disorders in Islamic World
Consanguinity
Genetic Disorders: A Community Hurdle in Islamic Communities
Premarital Examination Program
Responses in the Arab World
Genetic Testing
Genetic Counseling
Qualifications and Task of the Counselor
Other Options
Islamic Teachings and Prevention of Genetic Diseases
Abortion for Genetic Diseases
Genetic Engineering
Gene Therapy
Islamic Position on Genetic Engineering
Cloning and Stem Cell Research
Islamic Position on Cloning
Islamic Position on Stem Cells Research
DNA Fingerprinting
Unanswered Ethical Questions and DilemmasOrgan Transplantation
Definition
Types of Transplant
Historical Background
Timeline of Successful Transplants
World Activity in Transplantation
Renal Transplantation in the Arab World
Types of Organ Donors
What Is “Opt-in” and “Opt-Out” Systems?
Islamic Principles and Rules Related to Organ Transplantation
Islamic Jurists Fatwas (Juridical Resolutions) Regarding
Organ Transplantation
Donation Among Muslims in Europe
Contemporary English Sunni E-Fatwas on Organ Donation
Fatwas in Malaysia
Organ Sale
The Role of the Relatives in Postmortal Organ Procurement
Public Media CampaignsBrain DeathDefinition of Death
Brain Death: Medical Background
Preconditions for the Diagnosis of Brain Death
Islamic Views of Brain Death
Controversies in Brain DeathEnd-of-Life CarePersistent Vegetative State
The Case of Terri Schiavo
Concepts Involving End-of-Life Care
Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatments
Do Not Resuscitate
Palliative Care at End-of-Life
End-of-Life Practices
Advance Directives
Euthanasia