New Techniques in Human Reproduction

:Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi

2013/07/22

875

The birth of the first 'test-tube-baby' in 1978 made headlines all over the world. All the world, with the exception of Vatican, welcomed this new development in human science. After all, man is the prime creation of God. Allah has created the universe for man but created the man for Himself. During the last five decades, man has taken great leap in science and technology. One of the areas which has amazed us most are the new techniques in human reproduction.

It is interesting to note that even on this issue, Islam stands in the middle of the two extreme views: On the one hand, the Roman Catholic Church has categorically condemned in virto fertilization, artificial insemination and surrogate motherhood. On the other hand, the liberations allows these methods no matter whether it is done between married couples or others. Islam, as we shall see below, allows the new reproduction technology as long as it is done between the married couples.

In this chapter, we will examine in the new techniques designed to help couples in reproduction, and see whether Islam agrees with them or not.