Ethics debate: ‘Organ transplants permitted in Islam’

Dr Kazim said a national transplant registry must be established to regulate organ transplants in the country.

LAHORE:

Organ transplantation to save life is permitted in Islam. However, it is the government’s responsibility to combat organ trafficking and transplant tourism, Dr Fouzia Kazim, head of the philosophy department at the Government College for Women, said on Tuesday.

She was addressing a seminar on the Islamic Perspective on Organ Transplantation at the University of Health Sciences.

Dr Kazim said a national transplant registry must be established to monitor and regulate organ transplants in the country.

One of the reasons why Muslims refrain from donating their organs is that Islamic law and interpretations are ambiguous on the subject, she said. In line with Quranic teachings, she said, most Muslim scholars have declared saving life a priority. Thus, organ transplants, carried out for that purpose, are permitted.

“Nonetheless, Islam prohibits violation, harm or mutilation of a body. There are exceptions to this rule, on the basis of necessity,” Dr Kazim said.

The seminar was organised by the human genetics department at the UHS. Vice Chancellor Maj Gen (r) Prof Muhammad Aslam was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2014.