Abstract:
In recent years, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of IVF embryos have gained much traction in clinical assisted reproduction for preventing various genetic defects, including Down syndrome. However, such genetic tests inevitably reveal the sex of IVF embryos by identifying the sex (X and Y) chromosomes. In many countries with less stringent IVF regulations, information on the sex of embryos that are tested to be genetically normal is readily shared with patients. This would thus present Muslim patients with unintended opportunities for sex selection based on personal or social biases without any pressing need or valid medical reason. Additionally, there are other patients who claim using PGT for preventing genetic defects as a pretext or \"convenient excuse,\" with a secret intention to do sex selection when it is banned in their home country. Currently, non-medical sex selection is a highly-controversial and hotly debated issue in Islam, because there is generally a strong preference for having sons over daughters due to widespread cultural norms of elderly parents depending on their sons for financial support, as well as the need for male heirs to continue the family lineage within the backdrop of local patriarchal cultures. There is a risk of gender imbalance and social disequilibrium occurring in Islamic societies due to prevalent sex selection. Hence, the question is whether opportunistic sex selection with PGT would contravene Islamic ethics and principles, which will thus be discussed here.
摘要:
近年来,试管婴儿胚胎的植入前基因检测(PGT)在临床辅助生殖中获得了很大的吸引力,以防止各种遗传缺陷,包括唐氏综合症.然而,这种基因测试不可避免地通过识别性别(X和Y)染色体来揭示IVF胚胎的性别。在许多IVF法规不太严格的国家,被测试为基因正常的胚胎的性别信息很容易与患者分享。因此,这将为穆斯林患者提供基于个人或社会偏见的意外性别选择机会,而无需任何紧迫的需要或有效的医疗理由。此外,还有其他患者声称使用PGT预防遗传缺陷作为借口或“方便的借口”,“当性别选择在他们的祖国被禁止时,他们有一个秘密的意图。目前,非医学性别选择在伊斯兰教中是一个备受争议和激烈争论的问题,因为由于老年父母依靠儿子获得经济支持的广泛文化规范,通常强烈偏爱儿子而不是女儿,以及男性继承人需要在当地父权制文化的背景下继续家族血统。由于普遍的性别选择,伊斯兰社会存在性别失衡和社会不平衡的风险。因此,问题是PGT的机会主义性别选择是否会违反伊斯兰道德和原则,这将在这里讨论。