Ethics of Assisted Reproductive Medicine: A Comparative Study of Western Secular and Islamic Bioethcs

Bioethics has developed over the last few decades into a major field of inquiry. With advances in medicine progressively transforming our understanding of what constitutes life, there is a need for medical ethics to address many of the issues and challenges arising, particularly in the fields of genetics and reproduction. Of central significance are serious moral dilemmas confronting medical experts which require a theological perspective. Yet it is secular bioethics that is defining what constitutes human life, and it is secular bioethics that is influencing policy on matters which concern us all and are likely to have grave societal impact. Is it right for a woman to act as surrogate for her sister? Or for a childless couple to resort to artificial insemination by donor? What does Islam have to say?