Mandatory Premarital Genetic Screening For Hereditary Disease In Light Of The Five Objectives Of Islamic Law

Ebrahim,, Abul Fadl

doi:10.21608/egyfs.2018.19211

Mandatory Premarital Genetic Screening For Hereditary Disease In Light Of The Five Objectives Of Islamic Law

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abul Fadl Ebrahim,

Ph.D. (Temple, USA) School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa,Professor

10.21608/egyfs.2018.19211

Abstract

Background: Premarital genetic screening is a test in which prospective married couples undergo specific tests for genetic, infectious and blood transmitted diseases to prevent any risk of transmitting such diseases to their children. Such a test is important in view of the increasing number of children affected with genetic or blood transmitted diseases. In the Arab countries, for example, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, their Ministries of Health have made it mandatory for all prospective married couples to undergo the screening process before getting married. This regulation is precisely because of the high prevalence of hereditary disease like sickle cell disease and to a certain extent Thalassemia that may be associated with the prevalence of consanguineous marriages in such countries. While there is obvious benefit for this particular test, Muslim scholars, however, hold differing views on the issue of the enforcement of this test upon the population. While the paper addresses their concerns, it attempts to try to justify mandatory premarital genetic screening in light of the five objectives of Islamic Law. Methods: The method employed is restricted to desk-top study (qualitative) relying solely on empirical sources.

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