Resolution No.(189)(9/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"
Date: 27/Tholqidah/1434 AH, corresponding to 3/10/2013.
All perfect praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Elaborating on its earlier resolution No.(6/2013) which included special amendments to the stem cells system, the Board decided what follows:
In terms of medicine, stem cells are unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that are characteristically of the same family type (lineage). They retain the ability to divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die or are lost. Stem cells contribute to the body`s ability to renew and repair its tissues. Based on their source, stem cells are divided into the following types; each has its own ruling from the perspective of Sharia:
Type One: Human Embryonic Stem Cells
These are taken from fertilized eggs that are left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF), starting from the date of fertilization and ending after five days from the start of the sequential segmentations.
For this type to be considered permissible, fertilization should take place between two spouses who wish to beget children, and whose marriage contract is valid. This is provided that they abide by the specified number of fertilization attempts along with observing the rules of Sharia concerning the test-tube babies.
Type Two: Adult Stem Cells:
These are taken from the umbilical cord after delivery, milk teeth, different tissues of a human being after being born, aborted fetuses, tissues of fetuses implanted in the uterus or the umbilical cord or the placenta and its membrane, and the amniotic fluid, whether inside the uterus or outside it.
Using this type of cells is permissible; however, proper legislations should be set up in order to ban deliberate abortion that aims at obtaining them. It is also important to avoid taking advantage of illegal abortion, because the use of these cells could lead to legalizing such abortion.
Type Three: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells:
They are specialized adult cells that can be programmed into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells.
Type Four: Hybrid Stem Cells:
These cells result from combining human DNA with a non-human cell.
Islamic Sharia permits using the third and the fourth types because there is no Sharia evidence that forbids them. This is provided that they aren`t implanted in a woman`s womb and they aren`t used for increasing mankind.
In conclusion, it is conditioned that the above mentioned types don`t cause any harm to mankind and that the medical rules and regulations are observed. The Legislation and Opinion Bureau has worked out a draft-law to that end and it was ratified by the Iftaa` Board which made key amendments to it in order to make sure that the rules of Sharia are abided by. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
