The Debate on Genetically Manipulated Food An Islamic perspective Date: 16/0 /!

01" Author: Isabel #chat$schneider Theme: Food Topics: %Islamic &thics% %&nvironment% %'alal Food% %Food% ( #ee more at: http://)))*cilecenter*or+/areas(o,(research/,ood/essays/essays(detailsarticleID." 10/theme.,ood/topic.Islamic0!0&thics1sthash*#12$345"*dpu,

Bismillah Al-Rahmani Al-Rahim (In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

The Debate on Genetically Manipulated Food An Islamic perspective #ince 14 67 ne) developments in +enetic en+ineerin+ have had a +reat impact on ,ood a+riculture* Throu+h the techni8ue o, trans,errin+ a selected individual +ene ,rom one or+anism to another or+anism7 even bet)een non(related species7 science made it possible to create a 9)onder product:* Today scientists can alter the +enetic material ;D<A= o, a crop so that it becomes tolerant to drou+ht or resistant a+ainst plant diseases caused by pests or viruses* The 3# Food and Dru+ Administration ;FDA= even tried to enact le+islation on the approval o, a +enetically modi,ied salmon in the 3# mar>et* This 9#uper(#almon: +ro)s t)ice as ,ast as the ordinary #almon )ould* The FDA has assessed that the ,ish is ,it ,or human consumption and does not pose any threats to human health or to the environment* It )ould be the ,irst +enetically modi,ied animal on the ,ood mar>et* The 3# ,ood mar>et is a pioneer in +enetically modi,ied ,ood ;GMF= production* Appro?imately @6 percent o, soybeans7 0 percent o, cotton ,ields and 60 percent o, GM corn are trans+enic*A1B &ven many Muslim maCority countries have indicated a positive attitude to)ards such ne) developments in +enetically en+ineered ,ood* Iran imports trans+enic ,ood commodities such as edible oil7 oilseed and cereals ,rom leadin+ biotech crop countries such as Ar+entina7 Dra$il and Eanada* The 3A& import trans+enic basmati and non(basmati rice7 tomatoes7 auber+ines7 mai$e7 +roundnut7 potatoes and cabba+e ,rom India*A!B A maCority o, Middle &astern countries do not yet have speci,ic re+ulations )hich +overn ,oods containin+ +enetically modi,ied in+redients* At present Malaysia holds the lead in conductin+ research7 or+anisin+ )or>shops and con,erences to

,ind and build a consensus on +overnmental policies and Islamic responses to trans+enic ,ood* Dut Islamic scholars still debate i, such ,ood is even permissible in Islam* Fpponents7 such as Greenpeace or Mother &arth in particular7 )arn that +enetically modi,ied ,ood may have a dramatic impact on human health and the environment* Their scientists ar+ue that there have not been enou+h studies yet and )hether and ho) trans+enic ,ood impact human health is still uncertain* The aim o, this essay is to outline an Islamic perspective on the issue o, +enetically modi,ied ,ood* The paper proceeds in t)o parts* Firstly7 it )ill brie,ly assess Islamic ethics on ,ood* #econdly7 the debate on +enetically modi,ied ,ood )ill be outlines in relation to Islamic principles* The second part concentrates on +enetic en+ineerin+ and ,ood production7 environmental contamination7 animals and intellectual property ri+hts*

Food Ethics in Islam &thical behaviour in Islam is an essential component o, ,aith* Islamic ethics include components such as behaviour7 characteristics and values that are +ood and pure* The ,undamental sources o, Islam7 the 2uran and the #unna ;sayin+s and actions o, the Grophet= provide man )ith +uidelines and obli+ations that one has to act upon to preserve a +ood and healthy li,e* The 2uran states: HThose )ho ,ollo) the messen+er7 the Grophet )ho can neither read nor )rite7 )hom they )ill ,ind described in the Torah and the Gospel ;)hich are= )ith them* 'e )ill enCoin on them that )hich is ri+ht and ,orbid them that )hich is )ron+* 'e )ill ma>e la),ul ,or them all +ood thin+s and prohibit ,or them only the ,oulI and he )ill relieve them o, their burden and the ,etters that they used to )earJ ; :16 =* A"B Khen considerin+ an Islamic conception o, ,ood ethics7 )e need to ta>e either the verses ,rom the 2uran or re,er to the sayin+s o, the Grophet )hich relate to rules and considerations re+ardin+ ,ood codes* Islamic ethics emphasise ,ood that is +ood7 )holesome7 and pure amon+ that )hich is permissible ;halal=*ALB Food )ith these mentioned characteristics are called HtayyibJ in Arabic )hich re,ers to purity both in the physical and moral sense* A6B A 2uranic verse says: HF messen+ers7 eat ,rom the +ood ,oods and )or> ri+hteousness* Indeed7 I7 o, )hat you do7 am Mno)in+J ;!:1 !=* A6B #o on one side Muslims are provided )ith +uidelines on speci,ic ,ood codes )ithin the primary sources o, IslamI but in order to develop a comprehensive understandin+ o, this

issue7 authentic and scienti,ic >no)led+e is essential* These t)o components are essential to issue a le+itimate le+islation ;,at)a= and there,ore it is essential ,or Islamic scholars to )or> closely )ith ,ood scientist and e?perts* Issues and 8uestions that cannot be ans)ered by simply re,errin+ to 2uran and 'adith are addressed by Islamic scholars ;ulamN= by usin+ consensus ;iCmN=7 analo+y ;8iyNs= based on the 2uran and #unna7 and the personal e,,ort7 Cud+ement or reasonin+ ;idCtihNd= o, the 8NdO* Another important component o, Islamic la) and )ith particular relevance ,or ethics is the concept o, 9+eneral +ood: or 9public interest: ;maslaha=* Throu+hout the discussion o, GMF this article )ill >eep re,errin+ to the ,undamental sources o, Islam to relate the matter discussed to the Islamic perspective o, ,ood* The purpose o, this paper is not to produce an Islamic le+islation ;,at)N=* Pather7 it only aims to +ive insi+ht into the debate on GMF and the comple?ity o, usin+ Islamic sources on the issue* Fbviously7 the Arabs at the time o, the Grophet Muhammad )ere not able to trans,er +enes ,rom one or+anism to another 'ence7 ans)erin+ the 8uestion o, the permissibility o, such ,ood is 8uite challen+in+*

What is genetically engineered food? For thousands o, years humans have been alterin+ the +enomes o, plants to produce desirable characteristics* Eonventional plant and animal ,armin+ use techni8ues such as selective breedin+* A plant breeder e?chan+es +enes bet)een t)o plants so that a better variety is developed* The di,,erence bet)een the traditional and the contemporary breedin+ is that techni8ues used today enable an easier trans,er o, selected traits in a more precise and controlled manner than conventional breedin+*A B Furthermore7 scientists are able to e?chan+e +enes bet)een non(related species that are alien to each other* Genetically modi,ied or+anisms ;GMF= can be de,ined as or+anisms in )hich the +enetic material ;D<A= has been altered in a )ay that does not occur naturally*A@B There are various )ays in )hich molecular biolo+ists can trans,er +enes ,orm one species to another* For e?ample )e )ant a corn that is +lyphosate resistant* Glyphosate is used as a herbicide to >ill )eeds* Dy ma>in+ the corn +lyphosate resistant7 the ,armer is able to eradicate )eeds )ithout destroyin+ his crops* The molecular scientist is ta>in+ a +ene ,rom a bacterium that contains the +lyphosate resistance in its +enetic material* ;This bacterium )as ,ound in the out,lo) pipe o, a Monsanto roundup manu,acturin+ ,acility=* A4B The scientist then allo)s the bacterium to in,ect the corn cell and the bacterium trans,ers the e?cised +ene at the same time* The in,ected corn cell ta>es on the properties o, the e?cised +ene*A10BThe same process is bein+ applied ,or other characteristics that could help the ,arm industry such as ma>in+ the plant insect protected* The cell is in,ected )ith the bacterium Dacillus thurin+iensis ;DT to?in= that is lethal to insects* The

to?in paralyses the insectJs di+estive tract and prevents it ,rom eatin+ and starves to death*A11B Qirus resistant +enes are also used to ma>e plants resistant a+ainst diseases* This process by )hich +enetically modi,ied plants and ,ood are created is called A+robacterium tume,aciens mediated trans,ormation* Another common process that molecular biolo+y is usin+ is the biolistic method ;particle +un=* Kith the help o, a device7 biolo+ists are able to inCect +enetic in,ormation into cells*

Islamic perspective on altering food In any discussion o, +enetically modi,ied ,oods and an Islamic perspective on the subCect7 the ,ollo)in+ verses should be considered: HAnd I )ill mislead them7 and I )ill arouse in them Asin,ulB desires7 and I )ill command them so they )ill slit the ears o, cattle7 and I )ill command them so they )ill chan+e the creation o, Allah*% And )hoever ta>es #atan as an ally instead o, Allah has certainly sustained a clear lossJ ;L:114=* A1!B Another verse states: J#o direct your ,ace to)ard the reli+ion7 inclinin+ to truth* AAdhere toB the ,itrah o, Allah upon )hich 'e has created AallB people* <o chan+e should there be in the creation o, Allah* That is the correct reli+ion7 but most o, the people do not >no)J ;"0:"0=*A1"B Fne meanin+ o, these t)o verses re,ers to the innate inclination to)ards the oneness o, Allah* &very human bein+ is born )ith this innate inclination* #o God created every creature )ith the ,itrah ;i*e* God(+iven nature7 also re,ers to Islamic monotheism=* #o the verses advise by sayin+ Hdo not chan+e the creation o, AllahJ7 that it )ill corrupt the inner nature and divert the people a)ay ,rom ,itrah )ith )hich 'e has created them* A1LB Another interpretation can relate to the direct alteration o, livin+ or+anism and livin+ bein+s7 i*e* physical alteration* In that sense it )ould address +enetic en+ineerin+7 )hich manipulates the creation o, God and inter,eres in his divine creation* Khile discussin+ physical alteration7 it is interestin+ to loo> at the ,ollo)in+ tradition o, the Grophet Muhammad* The Grophet )ent throu+h MadRnah and sa) ,armers +ra,tin+ di,,erent species o, date(palm seedlin+s* They did so in order to produce hi+her yields and resistant date crops* A16B

It )as reported that Paa,iJ ibn MhudayC said: The Grophet ;peace and blessin+s o, Allah be upon him= came to Madeenah7 and they )ere pollinatin+ the date(palms* 'e said7 HKhat are you doin+-J They said7 HKe al)ays used to pollinate them*J 'e said7 HGerhaps i, you do not do that7 it )ill be better*J #o they did not do it7 and the harvest )as lac>in+* They mentioned that to him7 and he said7 HI am only a human bein+ li>e you* I, I tell you to do somethin+ )ith re+ard to reli+ion7 then ,ollo) it7 but i, I tell you to do somethin+ based on my o)n opinion7 I am only a human bein+J*A16B This tradition ma>es the debate on GMF very interestin+* Firstly7 it sho)s that even bac> in the time o, the Grophet7 Arabs )ere chan+in+ ,ood crops throu+h selective breedin+* #econdly7 the Grophet ultimately chan+ed his position and admitted that he made a mista>e7 as he did not have enou+h >no)led+e o, a+riculture and ,armin+* Dut even more interestin+ is the ,act that he said 9I, I tell you to do somethin+ )ith re+ard to reli+ion7 then ,ollo) it7 but i, I tell you to do somethin+ based on my o)n opinion7 I am only a human bein+*: This leads to the 8uestions )hether secular and scienti,ic matters can and should be primarily decided by the direct teachin+s ,rom revelation*A1 B

The debate on genetically engineering in agriculture

Genetic engineering for increasing Food roduction Accordin+ to Monsanto ;one o, the leadin+ companies in the production o, +enetically en+ineered seeds= +enetic en+ineerin+ ma>es yield stability and more sustainable ,orms o, a+riculture possible* The company even ar+ues that )orld hun+er can be minimised and livelihood o, millions o, people in the developed )orld can be improved* For instance7 more reliable and constant levels o, ,ood production can be achieved by introducin+ drou+ht tolerant seeds* &specially ,or ,armers in hot countries7 the ris> o, yield loss can be miti+ated )hen e?periencin+ drou+ht stress*A1@BIn addition7 the amount o, )ater usa+e in ,ood ,armin+ is 8uite hi+h* Throu+h the introduction o, drou+ht tolerant seeds7 )ater can be used ,or other purposes such as ,or human consumption* G& could even ma>e ,ood more nutritious* Genes responsible ,or producin+ vitamins or minerals can be inserted in rice ,or e?ample providin+ a hi+her concentration o, vitamins* Qitamin A de,iciency is a serious problem in the developed )orld* It may render individuals blind and millions o, people die ,rom diseases7 )hich healthy people could survive* #upporters o, the so(called Golden Rice claim it could help millions o, people*

I, )e loo> at Islamic teachin+s7 Muslims are obli+ed to improve the livin+ standards o, the poor via charity ;$a>at= or by ,eedin+ the poor or by usin+ our resources that God provided us )ith in this )orld* A tradition o, the Grophet mentions: HKhichever believer ,eeds a hun+ry believer7 Allah ,eeds him ,rom the ,ruits o, Garadise on the Day o, Pesurrection* Khichever believer +ives drin> to a thirsty believer7 Allah +ives him to drin> ,rom the Ssealed nectarS on the Day o, Pesurrection* Khichever believer clothes a na>ed believer7 Allah clothes him ,rom the +reen +arments o, Garadise*JA14B In addition7 there are many 2uranic verses that motivate Muslims to conduct research and investi+ate GodJs creation* The 2urJan says:

HIndeed7 in the creation o, the heavens and the earth and the alternation o, the ni+ht and the day are si+ns ,or those o, understandin+* Kho remember Allah )hile standin+ or sittin+ or Alyin+B on their sides and +ive thou+ht to the creation o, the heavens and the earth7 Asayin+B7 %Fur Tord7 Uou did not create this aimlesslyI e?alted are Uou Aabove such a thin+BI then protect us ,rom the punishment o, the FireJ ;":140(141=*A!0B Fn the other hand or+anisations li>e Greenpeace and Mother &arth claim that introducin+ and producin+ GMF has serious conse8uences ,or human health7 ,ood security and the environment* Fne o, the most crucial issues )ithin GMF is the ,act that scientists do not yet >no) )hat conse8uences it )ill have on humans and animals* There are studies that ,ound ne+ative impacts o, GMF on test animals* For instance7 a research proCect o, the 3niversity o, Eaen in France ,ound that GM corn leads to an increase in the occurrence o, tumours and to an early death in test animals* As mentioned in the discussion o, Islamic ethics and ,ood7 ,ood is only permissible i, it is +ood7 )holesome and pure ;tayyib=* Dut i, there is scienti,ic research providin+ in,ormation on ne+ative impacts on human health and still scientists are not sure )eather GMF has ris>s on human health7 ho) can this ,ood be considered tayyibFpponents ar+ue that introducin+ GM crops to third )orld countries )ould not eliminate )orld hun+er7 )hich is primarily caused by ine8ualities and disparities in the allocation and distribution o, resources7 rather than a lac> o, ,ood as such* #ecurity o, ,ood supplies are another aspect to a comple? challen+e*

Genetic Engineering and the !eduction of Environmental "ontamination A main +oal o, the introduction o, +enetically modi,ied ,ood )as crop protection* As seen in the above discussion on +enetic en+ineerin+7 such protection can vary ,rom increased virus to herbicide tolerance and to insect resistance* #upporters o, +enetic en+ineerin+ claim that it enhances more sustainable ,orms o, ,armin+ as it reduces environmental impacts o, ,ood production and industrial processes* The use o, herbicide tolerant ( or insect resistance seeds reduce the usa+e o, herbicides and pesticides chemicals* These chemicals heavily contaminate soil and )ater and have ne+ative impacts on human health* Islamic teachin+s place an emphasis on a sustainable ,orm o, a+riculture* It is a duty ,or every Muslim to protect and conserve natural resources7 as God has created them* There are many di,,erent reasons )hy Muslims have to >eep the environment sa,e and healthy* The 2uran says: H#o )hoever does an atomJs )ei+ht o, +ood )ill see it7 and )hoever does an atomJs )ei+ht o, evil )ill see itJ ;44: (@=*A!1B This verse teaches us that God does not only re)ard or punish a Muslim ,or his deeds to)ards other humans7 but a person is accountable ,or his/her deeds to every livin+ or+anism* The 2uran +oes even as ,ar that it considers humans7 animals and nature as Muslim7 i*e* everythin+ in this universe that submits to the )ill o, God is bein+ called Muslim ;submissive=* Islamic scholars believe that everythin+7 )hich submits to God and celebrates 'is +lory7 is evidence that nature has to be re+arded as a livin+ bein+ )ith intrinsic values*A!!B The 2uran says: HDo you not see that Allah is e?alted by )homever is )ithin the heavens and the earth and AbyB the birds )ith )in+s spread Ain ,li+htB*&ach Ao, themB has >no)n his Ameans o,B prayer and e?altin+ A'imB7 and Allah is Mno)in+ o, )hat they doJ ;!L:L1=*A!"B Another aspect o, Islam and environmental ethics7 and very relevant to GM ,ood7 is the concept o, the ste)ardship or vice+erent ;>halO,ah=* God entrusted part o, his po)er on earth to man7 so that he may ta>e the leadership and the responsibility over all other bein+s and everythin+ in this )orld* This leadership and the )ay man is supposed to maintain the )orld has to be in accordance to GodSs rules* #o Muslims have the duty to >eep this )orld healthy7 balanced and sa,e so that not only present +enerations could meet their needs but also enablin+ ,uture +enerations to meet their needs* That )ould imply ,or e?ample sustainable a+riculture should be pursued* A tradition o, the Grophet Muhammad con,irms this:

HI, any one deprives an heir o, his inheritance7 Allah )ill deprive him o, his inheritance in Garadise on the Day o, PesurrectionJ*A!LB

Accordin+ to Greenpeace and Mother &arth it is not true that by implementin+ herbicide tolerant and insect resistance crops7 less pesticides and other chemicals need to be released on the ,ields* It is actually the opposite* <ature adapts to the )eed and insect resistance and in the lon+ term even more and stron+er pesticides have to be used to protect the yield o, the ,armer* In addition7 the use o, insect resistant crops a,,ects or+anisms and animals that are non(tar+et species such as birds7 butter,lies and other microor+anisms* Another issue that ,armers )ould ,ace is that once GM plants are released into the environment it )ill li>ely result in GM +enes bein+ carried a)ay ,rom the ,ield in )hich the crop is +ro)in+ via pollination*A!6B Eonse8uently GM crops can spread uncontrollably* This )ould have dramatic conse8uences on the transparency o, the ,ood mar>et as GM products and non(GM products are mi?ed in the ,ood chain* ;The uncontrolled spread o, GM pollen can also lead to problems )ith re+ards to intellectual property ri+hts* The issue o, intellectual property ri+hts )ill be discussed on a later part o, this essay=* Fpponents o, GMF claim that by introducin+ GM crops7 environmental contamination is not bein+ eliminated but instead ,urther advanced* It also has to be ta>en into consideration that there are more sustainable ,orms o, a+riculture that actually do not need or use pesticides e?cept to a small e?tent* I, ,armers )ould not adopt such unsustainable practices7 then maybe it )ould minimise the need to introduce herbicide or insect resistant seeds* I, the claims o, opponents should turn out to be accurate7 then the usa+e o, GM crops and ,ood )ould contradict Islamic rules and principles* Dut as previously mentioned in the discussion7 the precise conse8uences o, GMF are not yet >no)n* The 8uestion that arises here is )hether it is halal ;permissible= to introduce GMF to the ,ood mar>et7 even thou+h it is 8uite uncertain )hat impacts such a step )ould brin+ )ith itsel,-

Animals and Genetic Engineering

As mentioned earlier in the introduction7 not only plants are subCect to +enetic manipulation7 +enetic en+ineerin+ is also used on animals in order to enhance the appearance o, desirable characteristics* The ,irst animal that )as approved ,or human consumption ;accordin+ to the FDA= is a salmon type called A8uaAdvanta+e* It +ro)s ,aster and is t)ice as bi+ as normal salmon* #cientists are already creatin+ various other +enetically manipulated animals* For instance7 scientists attempted to solve the problem o, overheated chic>ens e?posed to hot )eather conditions in breedin+ boilers )ith +enetic manipulation that )ould render them ,eatherless* #uch research is o, course not only bein+ conducted on livestoc> to improve production traits and disease resistanceI but also ,or other purposes such as ne) medical developments ;i*e* to create therapeutic proteins in mil> or blood or to produce vaccines and medicines= or to enhance deeper and ,urther understandin+ o, +enetic en+ineerin+ in mammals* For e?ample7 throu+h G& it is possible to breed rabbits that +lo) +reen in the ni+ht by insertin+ Celly ,ish +enes into the rabbit* Kith re+ards to usin+ GM livestoc> ,or human consumption7 the same ar+ument can be applied to GM ve+etables and other non(meat ,ood* The precise impacts on human health are still contested and remain subCect to ,urther research7 )hich )ill allo) us to establish )hether this ,ood can be called +ood7 )holesome and pure and permissible to eat ,orm an Islamic consideration* I, )e loo> at +enetic en+ineerin+ in all its aspects7 it has +reat advanta+es ,or human )el,are and scienti,ic developments* Dut animal e?periments raise maCor ethical and Islamic issues )ith re+ards to )el,are* There are many problems )ith per,ormin+ e?periments on animals* Fne o, the problems7 ,or e?ample7 is the increasin+ laboratory use o, GM animals* The same research is bein+ carried out in many laboratories in this )orld7 )hich means a lar+e number o, animals die or su,,er unnecessarily* Furthermore7 many GM animals are not bein+ >ept species(appropriate* God created the animal ,or our human purposes7 that man can ta>e advanta+e and improve his livin+ standard by usin+ animals* As this 2uranic verse states: HIt is Allah )ho made ,or you the +ra$in+ animals upon )hich you ride7 and some o, them you eat* And ,or you therein are AotherB bene,its and that you may realise upon them a need )hich is in your breastsI and upon them and upon ships you are carried ;L0: 4( @0=*JA!6B Dut as earlier discussed man carries the responsibility o, bein+ the >halO,ah on this earth and leadin+ the )orld in a Cust and +ood manner by implementin+ GodSs rules*

The Grophet stated: HI, you must >ill7 >ill )ithout torture*JA! B 'e also said: H'e )ho ta>es pity ;even= on a sparro) and spares its li,e Allah )ill be merci,ul on him on the Day o, 5ud+ement*JA!@B

Intellectual roperty !ights <ormally ,armers use ne) seeds ,rom one harvest and plant them in the soil ,or the ne?t crop production* This is di,,erent )ith hybrid seeds* Farmers )ho use GM seeds need to buy ne) ones a,ter every harvest ,rom the manu,acturer* Thus7 ,armers are committed to a contract that ,orbids savin+ seeds* To achieve better transparency and security in this system7 Monsanto introduced a technolo+y called terminator into ,ood crops7 )hich produce plants that +ro) sterile seeds*A!4B Kith this techni8ue7 it is easier ,or Monsanto to protect its intellectual property ri+hts* This leaves ,armers in a state o, dependency on seed producers and constitutes a +reat loss in their autonomy* Dut these intellectual property ri+hts and patents can also a,,ect nei+hbourin+ ,armers )ho are not usin+ GM seeds7 as trans+enic pollen pass on their characteristics to nei+hbourin+ crops* Khile Trish 5ordan7 director o, public and industry a,,airs ,or Monsanto Eanada7 states that Hit is not7 nor has it ever been Monsanto EanadaSs policy to en,orce its patent on Poundup Peady crops )hen they are present on a ,armerSs ,ield by accidentJA"0B7 there have been a number o, le+al disputes in such cases* For instance7 there )as a case involvin+ liti+ation bet)een a ,armer ;#chmeiser= and Monsanto* Monsanto ,ound roundup(resistant canola on #chmeiserJs ,ield althou+h he never purchased any* 'e claimed that GM pollen ,rom nei+hbourin+ yields a,,ected his crop and insisted on the o)nership o, his seeds* In !00L the Eanadian #upreme court decided in MonsantoJs ,avour*A"1B There is a de+ree o, inconsistency in Monsanto claims that it )ants to eliminate )orld hun+er and enhance a more sustainable a+riculture especially in third )orld countries7 )hen it ma>es ,armers dependent on GM seeds and ma>es them loose their autonomy throu+h patent re+ulations* The Grophet Muhammad said: HKhoever )ithholds ,ood ;in order to raise its price=7 has certainly erredVJ A"!B Islamic scholars need to e?amine the issue o, GM Food and intellectual property ri+hts and patents and to conclude )hether it is compatible )ith the ,undamentals o, Islam*

Islamic le+islations should protect ,armers and other individuals ,rom pure pro,it considerations o, GM companies*

The discussion on GM ,ood and Islamic ethics is ambi+uous and broad and this essay did not discuss all topics and issues lin>ed to the topic such as transparent labellin+ and por> +enes in ve+etables and so ,orth* Islamic positions on the permissibility o, GM ,ood are not transparent7 very contested and still need ,urther a)areness and research ,rom Islamic scholars* Islamic Cud+es en+a+in+ )ith this matter need to receive transparent and accurate in,ormation about +enetic en+ineerin+ and +enetically modi,ied ,ood by relevant e?perts* IranJs Ayatullah Muhammad Ali al(Tas>hiri is 8uite optimistic about the outcome o, biotechnolo+y*A""B Dut he also said that Hthere should be no haste in ma>in+ ethical decisions as lon+ as the scienti,ic results are inconclusiveJ*A"LB Dr 'asan Ali al(#hadhili ,rom &+ypt re+ards GMF )ith sensitivity* Khile he has a positive vie)point on biotechnolo+y7 he also is concerned about the harm,ul e,,ects*A"6B #audi Arabia issued a ,at)a on the permissibility o, GM ,ood* It re+ards GM ,ood as sa,e and healthy7 but stresses the necessity o, labellin+ GM products i, G& in+redients e?ceed 0*4 percent* A"6B &ven thou+h there are only ,e) ,atN)N released and Islamic stances are ambivalent7 Muslim maCority countries already importin+ trans+enic seeds and ,ood as ,or instance #audi Arabia7 3A&7 &+ypt7 Malaysia and Iran*

This article has +iven an account o, the issue o, trans+enic ,ood in relation to Islamic principles* The ,irst point that has to be considered )hen loo>in+ at G& and Islam is that Islam only re+ards ,ood as permissible to eat i, it is tayyib ;pure and )holesome=* #o on one side ,ood has to be healthy ,or human consumption7 but on the other hand it also has to be produced by honest means* Islamic ethics stress on doin+ +ood and avoidin+ harm,ul actions* Khether +enetically en+ineered ,ood is permissible in Islam is 8uite di,,icult to establish as there is no direct in,ormation on G& in the 2uran and 'adith7 as it did not e?ist at that time* There are statements in the 2uran and in the 'adith on chan+in+ the creation o, God but they are ambi+uous* #upporters o, GMF claim that introducin+ trans+enic seeds and ,ood have +reat bene,its ,or human man>ind and the environment includin+: minimisin+ )orld hun+er and enhancin+ sustainable a+riculture* Uet7 opponents such as Greenpeace and Mother &arth ar+ue that it does e?actly the opposite: health impacts are not >no)n yet and environmental contamination even increases* Islam stresses on ,eedin+ the hun+ry and helpin+ the poor and it also enhances a sustainable ,orm o, a+riculture* Dut as seen in the above discussion the conse8uences o,

GMF are uncertain7 so it is very di,,icult ,rom an Islamic vie)point to declare it as bene,icial or not* In relation to Animals and G&7 Islam also o,,ers +uidelines that believers have to ,ollo)* 'ere as )ell7 the 8uestion o, ne+ative impacts on human health remains* Animals need to be treated species appropriate and are not allo)ed to su,,er and >illed ,or no reason* The ,inal point o, this essay concentrated on intellectual property ri+hts* GM seed companies hold intellectual property ri+hts and patents on their products* 'ence ,amers are not allo)ed to use ne) seeds ,rom one harvest ,or the ne?t7 and thus rely on purchasin+ ne) seeds ,or each season* This also raises issues )ith nei+hbourin+ yields that are a,,ected by the trans,er o, GM pollen* In conclusion then7 it can be said that Islamic scholars need to seriously investi+ate the issue o, GMF and prove its con,ormity to principles established )ithin Islamic sources* #uch an investi+atin+ necessarily re8uires close collaborations bet)een traditional areas o, scholarship )ith modern natural and li,e sciences* The presentation o, the issues and challen+es outlined in this paper is intended to serve as a startin+ point ,or ,urther in( depth e?amination and debates on the subCect*

Isabel #chat$schneider

A1BFr+anicEonsumers A!BTandais ;!00 = A"Balta,sir :16

ALBMoosa7 ;!004=7 p*1"6 A6Bibid*

A6B8uran*com !:1 ! A BMaCNlO ;!001=7 p*4! A@BKorld 'ealthFr+ani$ation A4BAdler ;!011= A10B#ha) ;!006=7 p* !16 A11Bibid*7 p*!!1 A1!B8uran*com L:114 A1"B8uran*com "0:"0 A1LBTa,sir Ibn Mathir A16BMoosa ;!004=7 p*1"@ A16BMuslim7 'adith !"61 A1 BMoosa ;!004=7 p* 1"4 A1@BMonsanto W Drou+htGard'ybrids

A14Bat(Tirmidhi7 Qol*L7 Doo> 117 'adith !LL4 A!0B 2uran*com7 ":140(141 A!1B2uran*com 44: (@
A!!BAl(Gha$ali ;!004=7 p* A!"B2uran*com7!L:L1

A!LBat(Tirmidhi7 'adith "0 @ A!6B#ha) ;!006=7 p* !!6 A!6B2uran*com "0: 4(@0 A! BMasri ;!00 =* p* "L A!@B An(<asai7 :!06 A!4B'anani ;!006=7 p*6 A"0B#chubert ;!00!= A"1B#upreme Eourt 5ud+ment ;!00L=
A"!B Islam)eb W Grophetic Grohibition a+ainst economic monopolies A""BMossa7 p*1L6 A"LBibid* A"6Bibid* A"6B3#DA Forei+nA+riculural #ervice

Diblio+raphy: Doo>s: #ha)7 I* E* ;!006=* Is it sa,e to eat-: &nCoy eatin+ and minimi$e ,ood ris>s* Derlin: #prin+er*

MaCNlO7 Abd (#7 Mehmet &r+in7 Mounee, P* Xoubi* ;!00L= Diotechnolo+y and Genetic &n+ineerin+ ,or Development in the Islamic Korld: Groceedin+s o, the Eon,erence on Diotechnolo+y and Genetic &n+ineerin+ ,or Development in the Islamic Korld 'eld in Pabat7 Morocco7 !!(!6 Fctober !001* Amman: Islamic Academy o, #ciences

Articles: 5erry Adler ;May !011=* The Gro)in+ Menace From #uper)eeds* #cienti,ic American* http://)))*scienti,icamerican*com/article*c,m-id.the(+ro)in+(menace(,rom( super)eeds &brahimMoosa ;!004= Genetically Modi,ied Foods and Muslim &thics ;in SAcceptable Genes- ( Peli+ious Traditions and Genetically Modi,ied Foods=7 <e) Uor>: #unypress

Mohd#a,ian7 Uasmin'anani ;!006= Islam and Diotechnolo+y: Kith special Pe,erence to Genetically Mod,ied FoodsI Ghiladelphia:Metane?us Institute

Pobert #chubert ;!00!= #chmeiser )ants to ta>e it to the #upreme EourtI EropEhoice editor

Eanadian #upreme Eourt 5ud+ments ;!00L= Monsanto Eanada Inc* v* #chmeiser

Kebsites: Fr+anic Eonsumers http://)))*or+anicconsumers*or+/+e/GMonMar>et3#*pd, Tandais http://+ul,ne)s*com/ne)s/+ul,/uae/health/+enetically(modi,ied(,ood(imports(raise( concerns(1*!066!" Korld 'ealth Fr+ani$ation http://)))*)ho*int/,oodsa,ety/publications/biotech/!08uestions/en/ Monsanto W Drou+ht Gard 'ybrids http://)))*monsanto*com/products/Ga+es/drou+ht+ard(hybrids*asp? Genetic Manipulation o, Animals http://euro+roup,oranimals*or+/,iles/otherpolicies/do)nloads/!0!/at+eneticYmanipulation Yo,YanimalsYinYresearch*pd, Alta,sir*com http://)))*alta,sir*com/Qie)Translations*aspDisplay.yes/#ora<o. /Ayah.0/toAyah.0/Tan+ua+e.!/Tan+ua+eID.!/Translati onDoo>." Ta,sir Ibn Mathir: http://)))*8ta,sir*com/inde?*phpoption.comYcontent/tas>.vie)/id.1 64/Itemid.@6 #ervice

3#DA

Forei+n

A+riculural

http://+ain*,as*usda*+ov/Pecent0!0GAI<0!0Gublications/A+ricultural 0!0Diotechnolo+y0!0AnnualYPiyadhY#audi0!0ArabiaY (10(!01!*pd, Islam)eb W Grophetic Grohibition a+ainst economic monopolies http://)))*islam)eb*net/emainpa+e/inde?*php-pa+e.articles/id.16L4!4 ( #ee more at: http://)))*cilecenter*or+/areas(o,(research/,ood/essays/essays(detailsarticleID." 10/theme.,ood/topic.Islamic0!0&thics1sthash*#12$345"*dpu,

Food &thics and Islam Date: !4/0@/!01! Author: Isabel #chat$schneider Theme: Food Topics: %Islamic &thics% %Food% %'alal Food%

The scope o, ,ood ethics is broad and it touches cultural7 political and economical aspects* Discussions centre around a variety o, topics such as ,ood security7 ,ood sustainability7 +lobal hun+er7 novel technolo+ies7 traceability7 obesity7 a+ro ,ood production7 bio,uels7 modern animal production and )el,are and so ,orth* There,ore ,ood ethics should be considered as a hetero+eneous and multidisciplinary discipline* Fne o, its main responsibilities is to sa,e+uard and promote +ood health7 )hich is the condition ,or a +ood li,e* &thical +oals ,or responsible action in ,ood can be traced bac> to 9respect ,or human di+nity: and 9Custice: that +uarantees e8uality7 ,airness and e8uity bet)een citi$ens )ithin a society and all societies in current and ,uture +enerations* <utrition7 ,ood production and its consumption are considered in the teachin+s o, the 2uran7 #unna and hadith and are +uided by the rules o, Islamic ethics* Islamic ethics emphasi$e ,ood that is +ood7 )holesome7 and pure amon+ that )hich is permissible ;halal=* Food )ith this characteristic is called HtayyibJ in Arabic and re,ers to purity both in the physical and moral sense* The 2uran advises: HFh you apostlesV Garta>e o, the +ood thin+s and do ri+hteous deedsJ* Additionally7 taboos are clearly mentioned in the 2uran and prophetic reports* Islamic +uidelines and principles )ere revealed ,or human bein+s as a remedy to preserve inner health and hi+her )ell bein+* This is stated in the 2uran verse: HIt is7 ,or those )ho believe7 a +uidance and cureJ* Islamic Applied ethics place emphasis on the concept o, public utility or common +ood ;maslaha=* The conceptJs aim is to promote and protect the common +ood and interest o, human>ind and prohibit it ,rom )hat is bad and harm,ul ,or the public bene,it and )el,are* Al(Gha$ali de,ined maslaha as the ultimate +oal o, the sharia ;Islamic la)=* Fn the one hand7 Islamic teachin+s provide +uidelines on speci,ic ,ood codesI but on the other hand7 secular(scienti,ic >no)led+e o, nutrition and ,ood is essential to develop a comprehensive understandin+ o, the subCect* These t)o components are essential to issue a le+itimate le+islation ;,at)a= and there,ore it is essential ,or Islamic scholars to )or> closely )ith ,ood scientist and e?perts* 'o)ever7 )orldly matters in relation to ,ood production should not contradict the sources o, 2uran and #unnah*

Tet us no) turn to a more detailed elaboration o, the content o, Food &thics and IslamI i*e )hat are the >ey subCects that Food &thics is dealin+ )ith and )hy is it so important to en+a+e )ith a topic such as Food &thics in contemporary times* Food sustainability has a prominent place in the discussion o, Applied &thics* The term is broad and it includes several topics )ith re+ards to ,ood* Accordin+ to the KDE#D sustainability can be de,ined as meetin+ Hthe needs o, the present )ithout compromisin+ the ability o, ,uture +enerations to meet their needsJ* As mentioned above7 the principle in pursuin+ Custice bet)een current and ,uture +enerations is a very important aspect in ,ood ethics* 'o)ever7 our current ,ood systems sho) clear indication o, unsustainability and there,ore ur+ent chan+es and re,orms need to be made in contemporary ,ood chains* Indicators o, ,ood unsustainability are hi+h(intensity animal production7 production out o, season but also hi+h +reen house emission7 ener+y use7 )ater consumption and )aste o, industrial manu,acturin+ systems* These ,actors clearly contribute to +lobal )armin+ and ,urther pollution o, the planet* Food sa,ety is an inte+ral part o, ,ood sustainabilityI it aims to preserve the condition and 8uality o, ,ood ,rom contamination and ,ood(borne illnesses* Food sa,ety concentrates on

production methods such as +ro)in+7 harvestin+7 and processin+ but also on transportin+ preparin+7 distributin+ and storin+ ,ood* Most ,ood related diseases are the cause o, viruses7 bacteria and parasites but also the result o, poisonin+ ,rom to?ic and chemicals that are trans,erred ,rom ,ood to the body* In the past several years7 )orld )ide ,ood( borne illnesses have occurred such as mad co) disease ;D#&= or the '6<1 virus ;also >no)n as bird ,lu=* These events had +overnments and international trade or+anisations but also consumers reconsider ho) )e produce and )hat )e eat* Genetically modi,ied ,ood is another e?tremely important issue in ,ood sa,ety but this paper )ill discuss this point in +reater depth later in this article* Another >ey aspect in sustainability is ,ood security* Its purpose is to enable +lobal access to su,,icient7 sa,e and nutritious ,ood ,or all human bein+s* As ,ood sustainability and ,ood sa,ety7 ,ood security has a multidimensional nature o, de,initions and issues that it is concerned )ith* The K'F de,ines it in L dimensions: ,ood availability7 ,ood access7 utili$ation and stability* A >ey +oal in ,ood security is to reduce the number o, undernourished* The 3nited <ations already reco+ni$ed and inte+rated the concept HThe Pi+ht to FoodJ into the 3< Declaration o, 'uman Pi+hts in 14L@* 'ence it plays a si+ni,icant role ,or +overnments7 the 3nited <ations and <GFs in their ,i+ht to minimi$e ,amine and ensure ,ood assistance to the poor and vulnerable* Islamic ethics also emphasises the stru++le a+ainst poverty and )orld hun+er* This stru++le is re,lected in the reli+ious practice o, $a>Nt ;alms+ivin+= and in the institution o, a)8N, ;Islamic reli+ious endo)ments7 charity=* In addition7 there are many reports o, the Grophet ;pbuh= in )hich he ur+es Muslims to +ive ,ood to the poor* In one tradition he states that Hthe person )ho sleeps ,ull )hile his nei+hbour sleeps hun+ry is not a true believerJ* Interestin+ly7 the number o, obesity cases is on the rise and even surpassed the undernourished )orld population* Fbesity and ,ood hun+er are both dependent on modern a+ricultural production* In aimin+ to improve +lobal hun+er7 modern production systems need to be made more e,,ective7 especially in developin+ countries* 'o)ever7 industrial ,ood production and ,armin+ constitute a crucial issue )ithin ,ood ethics* In particular animal ,armin+ presents a critical topic in modern ,ood processin+* This has let to concerns o, ho) industrial animal a+riculture a,,ects animal )el,are7 human health7 the environment and ,ood sa,ety* The issues surroundin+ contemporary animal ,armin+ have also +iven rise to debates )ithin Islamic ethics and the 8uestion o, consistency )ith Islamic sources* There are clear indicators that the contemporary 'alal meat production systems in Muslim maCority countries and in the Kest only emphasise the Islamic implementation o, the technicalities o, slau+hterin+* Uet respectin+ the lives o, animals and their di+nity appears to have been ,or+otten by ,u8aha ;Curist=7 Islamic production companies and Muslim maCority +overnments* <e) innovations in biotechnolo+y7 such as +enetically modi,ied crops7 have brou+ht ethics to the ,ore,ront o, ,ood debates* Genetic en+ineerin+ is the process o, trans,errin+ +enes ,rom one plant or animal to another* Throu+h this ne) techni8ue7 ve+etables can be

+ro)n and processed more e,,iciently* Genetically modi,ied ,ood possesses bene,its such as herbicide tolerance7 pest and disease resistance7 cold tolerance and drou+ht ( and salinity tolerance* In the 3# and Ar+entina GM ,ood has been )elcomed by the ,armin+ community and it did not meet si+ni,icant reCection by consumers* 'o)ever7 especially in &urope this ne) development is ,acin+ +reater opposition* Genetic en+ineerin+ is a 8uite recent innovation in biotechnolo+y and the precise e,,ects on human health are still contestedI hence debates discussin+ the le+alisation o, +enetically modi,ied ,ood continue in both Kestern and Muslim maCority countries* Uet <GFs7 +overnments and consumers are concerned ,or producin+ and eatin+ ethically* <on(pro,it or+anisations )or> to persuade supermar>ets to stoc> ,air trade( and or+anic products* #ince !00!7 t)o Dritish supermar>ets7 Mar>s and #pencer and Kaitrose7 have only sold ,ree(ran+e e++s* In 5anuary !01!7 the &uropean 3nion e,,ectively banned battery ,armin+ due to )el,are concerns* The stoc>in+ o, ,air trade products is also increasin+ in Kestern countries* More and more supermar>ets o,,er ,air trade products but also ,ood and co,,ee chains include ,air trade into their product lines* It is cate+orically unacceptable to produce ,ood )ithout o,,erin+ ,air )or>in+ conditions7 )ithout prioritisin+ sa,ety at )or> ;such as by providin+ +loves and ,ace mas>s to employees )ho have to )or> )ith chemicals= and obviously )ithout payin+ )or>ers ,air )a+es* Eonsumer behaviour also chan+ed to)ards a more critical and ethically )ay o, eatin+ especially in developed countries7 as the ,ocus shi,ted ,rom the basics o, hun+er and the supply o, ,ood* Eiti$ens are able to as> 8uestions on )here their ,ood comes ,rom and ho) it )as produced* Does the ,ood contain pesticide and herbicides- Did animals su,,er- Did the ,arm )or>ers receive ,air )a+esThe demand ,or or+anic ,ood is risin+ especially in Kestern countries* Geople )ant to eat healthy and hence disli>e the consumption o, ,ood produced by usin+ chemicals and pesticides* The pre,erence to eat only or+anic meat and only that ,rom species( appropriate husbandry is also risin+ amon+st consumers* Dut there are also trends to move to a purely ve+etarian diet* Qe+etarians do not eat any meat7 poultry7 and ,ish but as )ell abandon dairy products7 e++s and honey* 'o)ever7 it has to be considered that )hile consumers indeed have the motivation and the aim to eat healthier and more ethically7 there is a +ap bet)een peopleJs attitudes and their behaviour* There are many ,actors involved in causin+ this +ap* Tac> o, access to ,ood )ith ethical attributes is one o, the ,actors* Dut also the hi+h prices o, or+anic ,ood are +enerally contributin+ to barrin+ consumers ,rom eatin+ ethically* To conclude7 this article shortly discussed the comple? topic o, Food &thics in broad terms7 and speci,ically in relation to Islam* Food &thics aims to sa,e+uard and preserve +ood health7 and aims to prevent any harm to human bein+s7 other(livin+ bein+s and the environment* The 3<7 +overnments and <GFs have increased their ,ocus on ,ood issues

and aim to address current problems by issuin+ ne) national and international le+islation* 'o)ever7 as this article has sho)n7 contemporary ,ood problems are immense and internationally coordinated steps and chan+es to the system are needed to protect humans7 animals and the environment ,rom endless su,,erin+* Also Islamic scholars need to be+in addressin+ current ,ood problems and provide theoretical and practical ,rame)or>s )ith re+ards to ,ood ethics* Diblio+raphy: #oo$s% Eheryl Dald)in ;!004= &brahim Moosa ;!004= Tari8 Pamadan ;!004= Articles% FAF ;!006= DDE <e)s ;!01!= The &uropean Group on &thics in #cience and <e) Technolo+ies to the &uropeanEommission ;!00@= Websites% http://re,erence)or>s*brillonline*com*e$pro?y*soas*ac*u>/entries/encyclopaed &ncylopaed ia(o,(islam(!/maslaha(#IMY6014ia o, Islam s*num.0/s*,*s!Yparent.s*,*cluster*&ncyclopaediaZo,ZIslam/s*8.maslaha <early 1 in 0 Ehinese over)ei+ht or obese M#<DE http://)))*msnbc*msn*com/id/1LL0 464/ns/health( dietYandYnutrition/t/nearly(chinese(over)ei+ht(or(obese/ 2uran http://8uran*com/L1/LL ( #ee more at: http://)))*cilecenter*or+/areas(o,(research/,ood/essays/essays(detailsarticleID.1!/theme.,ood/topic.Islamic0!0&thics1sthash*0LUc D&T*dpu, Food #ecurity7 Pome: FAF 3M battery ,arms brea> &3 Pules &thics o, Modern Developments in A+riculturalI Drussels #ustainability in the Food IndustryI Ames7 Io)a: Dlac>)ell/IFT GressI Genetically Modi,ied Foods and Muslim &thicsI <e) Uor>: #unypress Padical Pe,orm: Islamic &thics and TiberationI F?,ord: F?,ord 3niversity Gress