An Islamic Perspective on IVF and PGD, with Particular Reference to Zain Hashmi, and Other Similar Cases

Abstract

On 20 December 2002, the British High Court blocked a couple's bid to have a 'designer baby5 to save the life of their three-year old son, who has a potentially fatal genetic disorder. Although they had been given the go-ahead by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) earlier,1 Raj and Shahana Hashmi would have to stop their attempts to use genetic screening PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) in select ing an embryo that would have the exact type of cells to help in curing their son, Zain. The Queen's Bench Division (Administrative Court) judge Mr. Justice Maurice Kay said the HFEA had no legal power to license the technique.2 The judge's decision seemed to agree with a pro-life cam paigner who claimed that the screening of test-tube embryos to provide 'donor siblings' for sick children was 'ethically objectionable'.3 However,