An Islamic Ethico-legal Framework for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering Research: A Focus on Harm Reduction

• Main Authors: Ahmad Radzi, Muhammad Aa’zamuddin, Sha'ban, Munirah, Mohd Azharuddina, Nur Syamimi, Azhim, Azran, Hashi, Abdurezak Abdulahi
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: UPM Press 2021
• Subjects: BL Religion; Q128 Islam and Science
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/92522/1/92522_An%20Islamic%20Ethico-legal%20Framework%20for%20Articular%20Cartilage%20Tissue%20Engineering%20Research.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92522/

The available studies showed a connection between mental health features of anxiety, depression, and stress with osteoarthritic patients. Articular cartilage tissue engineering (ACTE) methods offer potential options to treat joint diseases. It is evident through the increasing trend of ACTE research and development in local institutions. The ethical and legal concerns of such practices, including cell sources, biomaterials, signalling factors, and animal study, have yet to be addressed systematically. The study aims to formulate an Islamic ethical and legal framework to facilitate both the scientific and social progress of ACTE research in the Malaysian context. The present work used content analysis of relevant journal articles obtained through a systematic search of Scopus and Web of Science. The study then utilised the existing documents on Malaysian laws, regulations, and guidelines; and fatwā related to the ACTE research. Based on the documents, the ethical and legal framework was formulated. The paper proposes a framework that includes six steps on ethical and legal issues in ACTE research. There are (1) to select research design and strategy, (2) to identify the potential issues, (3) to review relevant laws, regulations and guidelines, (4) to review the relevant sharīʿah rulings and opinions, (5) to consider possible alternatives and its consequences, and (6) to decide and implement the best course of action. These six steps are aligned based on the concept of Maqasid al-sharīʿah (the objectives of Islamic law) and al-Qawāʿid al-Fiqhiyyah (Islamic Legal Maxim). The paper presents a framework that can serve as a guide to conduct safe and sound ACTE research based on the Islamic perspective. It is hoped that the findings can be used to establish a comprehensive healthcare management model for treating osteoarthritis in the future.