Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul (Nov 2011)
Cloning from the Perspective of Theology and Jurisprudence
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cloning is one of the achievements in the field of experimental science in contemporary time, which is associated with many questions, serious challenges and sensitivity for experts, jurists, and ethics scholars that each of them has adopted different positions against it. The aim of this study was to survey the cloning from the perspective of theology and jurisprudence.METHODS: In this study, research on religious texts, book and tradition and also jurists votes and statements is the base of this study from the perspective of theology and jurisprudence in cloning sciences. In any jurisprudential debate, its related texts are considered as a document. FINDINGS: Cloning is not manipulation in the creation system and can not destroy the distinctions. Such individuals have dignity, worth and honor, and familial, environmental and educational factors can be effective in their personality structure. Cloning cannot be a factor to cancel a marriage and in many cases, parents provision for cloned individuals is applicable. Ambiguity in the issue of inheritance is also resolvable. In the context of the Holy Quran, we cannot find a compulsory commandment that natural reproduction is the only way for human beings to procreate and also there is no commandment for prohibition of cloning. CONCLUSION: While there is no strong reason to prohibit the cloning, it cannot be adjudged decisively about prohibition of cloning and it needs further investigation and discussion.