Family Structure in the wake of Genetic and Reproductive Technologies in the Muslim World

The development of modern genetics is often hailed as one the most important scientific success stories in recent history. With steps going back to work Gregor Mendel 19th century, a major milestone was discovery human DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick mid-20th century. This event constituted revolution that ultimately altered life sciences resulted numerous impactful achievements culminating completion Human Genome Project more recently invention gene editing technologies. Not only did transform study medicine sciences, but it has also had many social cultural ramifications, particularly legal judicial domains extent fingerprinting become main types evidence. In addition genetic in, twentieth century witnessed emergence assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Following several decades experimentation plant animal research, birth first test-tube baby late 1970s another promised help couples overcome infertility problems satisfy their desire have baby. ARTs include wide array procedures either enable reproduction despite physical inabilities barring natural conception, such artificial insemination, or allow greater control over result process, sex selection. increasing use techniques realm led reprogenetics newly emerging field. Although these advances brought ease convenience, they equally raised difficult perplexing questions, area family relations. These questions involve host legal, ethical, concerns, which revolve around value life, moral status embryos, commercialization function. Muslim-majority countries, personal issues are regulated according shariʿah rules principles. While legislation does not always keep up with technical advancements, those engendered reprogenetics, examined evaluated within normative framework its rules, principles, objectives -mostly form non-binding fatwas scholarly councils’ resolutions. Obviously, absence formal unified decision-making mechanisms gives rise range views on questions. Researchers examining across different academic professional fields usually highlight evolving nature ethical discourses surrounding underscore need for involvement all relevant stakeholders. special issue seeks contribute discussions associated Muslim world. It aims provide an opportunity explore from various comparative perspectives. paper this author investigates role religious norms implementation context Qatar. explores medical professionals how applied real world patients’ attitudes shaped Islamic values and/or local expectations. examines professionals’ responses terms five themes: conceptualization, regulation, changes implications, testing counseling, gaps existing practice. Finally, places findings larger Islamic-Sunni sample juristic opinions published Qatar-based Islamweb, run Qatar’s Ministry Endowments Affairs. second Mohammad Fadel impact tests established regulations pertaining paternity scriptural foundations classical regulations, were developed basis foundations, can/should be read period. He traces earlier precedents suggest possible ways reformulate at least limited integration evidence primary goal achieving best interest child, especially case born illegitimate sexual relationships unmarried women. third Marcia Inhorn addresses relationship between two seemingly independent (or even opposing) waves first, contraceptive methods, achieve control, while second, ARTs, resolve problems. reception they, own ways, transformations. divided into three sections: overview declining fertility rates, methods women due changing men preference small size; introduction particular focus preimplantation screening (PGS) selection, used mostly select male embryos; ethnographic account world, some cases UAE. concludes reflection future research potential PGS fourth Soraya Tremayne third-party gamete donation perception lineage connections Iran. gradual shift close members anonymous donors highlights require attention stakeholders Iranian context. sheds further light frequent divide Sunni Shiʿi perspectives but, similar paper, shows users respective contexts, using tools goals fulfil socio-cultural roles. fifth Inmaculada de Melo-Martín engages rich philosophical reprogenetics. evolution challenges claims proponents, regard whether – broadly science technology- value-neutral. limitation evaluation mere risk benefit considerations. Alternatively, points out undergirding shape influence users’ view themselves sixth Delfina Serrano-Ruano knowledge concerning duration pregnancy. She discusses efforts contemporary jurists accommodate scientific-medical against background along underlying assumptions. suggests assumptions should accompany process adjustment other related ones well. Earlier versions papers presented international conference held Georgetown University Qatar theme Fall 2018. facilitated grant National Research Fund (CWSP13-C-1012-17042) part project funded Priorities Program (# NPRP8-1478-6-053) Fund. I would like acknowledge colleagues who made projects possible, Dean’s Office, Library, Communications Facilities Information Technology Departments. thank authors revising drafts dedication plan issue, extended years. express my gratitude editorial production teams journal unfailing support throughout publication process.