Category: Bioethics

According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, global milk production is projected to grow, largely driven by higher yields per animal, but this expansion raises significant ethical questions. A critical look at the ethical considerations of modified milk reveals a multifaceted debate surrounding its production, safety, and societal impact.

According to the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, it is permissible to reduce weight through accredited scientific means, including surgery, if the weight poses a health risk. This ruling helps answer the complex question, is it halal to remove fat, clarifying the specific conditions under which such procedures are permitted in Islam.

Recent research in Switzerland estimated that voluntary stopping eating and drinking (VSED), a form of voluntary starvation, accounted for 1.7% of deaths in nursing homes, highlighting its growing presence in end-of-life planning. This deliberate act is a complex end-of-life option chosen by a competent adult seeking to control the timing and manner of their death due to unbearable suffering from a terminal or incurable illness.

According to fatwas from major Islamic bodies like Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta and the Islamic Fiqh Council, bone marrow transplantation is generally considered permissible, or halal. The ruling is based on the overarching Islamic principle of preserving and saving human life, provided specific ethical and legal guidelines are followed.

According to the World Health Organization, fortification of staple foods is one of the most cost-effective and beneficial public health measures available, with evidence showing dramatic reductions in diseases like goiter and rickets. Yet, the question of whether food fortification is ethical is a complex one, pitting population-level health gains against individual autonomy and potential risks for certain groups.