Muslims open to biotech solutions
to food security issues

GIVEN the assurance of full scientific research and development,  the Muslim communities are open to biotechnology providing sound alternatives to traditional food production.

Dr. Carmen Abubakar, dean of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS), shared resolutions formed by the Islamic Academy of Sciences regarding the issue of biotechnology with representatives of the religious sector in a round table discussion held at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City, Monday, Jan. 24. According to Abubakar, the Islamic Academy of Sciences (IAS) aims “to increase interaction among scientists and facilitate the exchange of views on development issues, and to function as the Islamic Brain Trust helping the Islamic and Developing Worlds in scientific and technology fields.” The independent, non-political, non-governmental organization is composed of distinguished scientists and technologists dedicated to the promotion of all aspects of science and technology in the Islamic World, for the benefit of mankind.

In expressing the concerns of the Muslim community, Abubakar noted that, “Islam promotes the needed ecological balance between all living beings and their life-sustaining environment.” Likewise, the IAS underscored the Islamic Value-System as providing a unique Code of Ethics, which should govern the Muslim outlook on developments in biotechnology as well as contemporary genetic engineering issues.

In 2001, the IAS defined the Islamic understanding of biotechnology and genetic engineering in a declaration adapted in Rabat, Morocco, while recognizing that “the Holy Quran is replete with numerous references to biological sciences,” adding that “Muslim contribution to the establishment and advancement of biological sciences throughout the period Islamic renaissance has been significant.”

The IAS declaration expressed encouragement and support for OIC-based biotechnological and pharmaceutical ventures, as well as inter-disciplinary research and development in various fields related to biotechnology.

Among the proposals of the IAS was the creation of an Islamic fund for biotechnology to ensure the transfer of biotechnology know-how and its utilization to achieve national food security among the poorer OIC countries. Likewise, the IAS recommended “the enforcement of a moratorium on the release of genetically engineered organisms and on the use of Genetically Engineered (GE) foods, until sufficient knowledge has been acquired to make it possible to judge how far it is safe for human Health and the Environment to exploit this technology;” and for a multi-disciplinary group of scientist and technologists and Islamic scholars to study the various facets of social and ethical issues emanating from the recommendations of the IAS conference.

The IAS was formed following a proposal from the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and approved by the Fourth Islamic Summit in 1984.