The Islamic Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) attaches great
importance to providing the Member States with the latest
information on new scientific developments, keeping hence
researchers, students and readers abreast with scientific,
ethical and social aspects of this constant progress. This
book on the human genome is another fruit of these efforts.
It is written by Dr. Hamid K. Ahmed, the educational
consultant in biotechnology, in Halton College, Cheschire,
United Kingdom.
This work is not a
textbook on the human genome; it is rather a preliminary
introduction to the human genome and its implications on our
life. Its primary aim is to raise awareness among Muslims by
providing them with the basic indispensible knowledge of
this ramified and sophisticated science. The author has
summarized the detailed information and minimized, as far as
possible, the use of technical terms to the extent that the
book’s type allows, with the aim of enabling readers who are
unfamiliar with the science of genetics to understand its
purport. Though efforts were made to make scientific
expression easier, the use of a good few specialized
scientific terms was inevitable.
This book contains six
chapters, the first explains the Islamic view on science
compared to the Church view. It also deals with some bad
repercussions of new technology on our life and shows how
Muslims can face this challenge. The second chapter presents
the Human Genome project and its background, detailing the
preliminary steps that led to the completion of this mammoth
task. The third chapter gives an insight into the scientific
aspects and the underpinning knowledge required that pave
the way for understanding the project. Much emphasis is laid
on the DNA molecule, genetic engineering and PCR, as they
constitute crucial parts of the project. Chapter four
illustrates the two different techniques used to map the
Genome by the private sector and the government. As to
chapter five, it details the potential application of the
human genome in health and medicine. The last chapter looks
into the social, ethical, legal and religious implications
of the human genome.
This is an
introductory book written to help Muslim scholars understand
the scientific background behind the human genome and its
supporters and opponents, so that they can formulate their
Islamic views and arguments on the basis of clear
understanding and sound knowledge. This book is expected
also to provide Muslim researchers in the various
disciplines, like social and legal sciences and biology,
with the basic knowledge on the human genome and its
repercussions.
May Allah grant us
success.
Dr. Abdulaziz Othman
Altwaijri
Director General
Islamic Educational,
Scientific and
Cultural Organization -ISESCO-
