Q1406: Cloning is a technology in which through the use of cells from the body of a living organism, another living organism may be created which resembles its origin exactly in terms of genetics. Is it permissible and acceptable to clone a human being from a religious point of view?

A: The normalization and facilitation of its public use in the sense of putting it on the same par as having children through marriage is definitely unsavory to the religious taste and is illegal; it is considered a great sin and entails legal, social and genetic corruptions which are necessary to avoid, and due to its illegality and the consequent corruptions, it is legally and rationally obligatory to reject, avert, prevent and forbid the action and also to penalize and punish the instigators and those who aid them, and this obligation should be assumed by all human being particularly those who have political, administrative authority. However, its practicality in itself and its use in rare and critical conditions, where the interests of all human societies are concerned, or in cloning human body parts for treatments and rational purposes, or in cloning animals are all different matters whose rulings and permissibility have been discussed in my book “Religious laws concerning medical issues”.

Q1407: With regard to the advancements made in medical sciences and genetics, and also man's success in cloning sheep, mice etc., and the fact that cloning is also applicable in human non-sexual reproduction and in producing body parts, please explain:

1- Is it religiously and legally right to clone a complete human being?

2- Is it religiously permissible to produce human body parts and organs through cloning?

3- With the assumption that some human beings are reproduced through cloning outside of Islamic countries, is it permissible for such a being to take up the true religion of Islam?

A: 1- Due to its legal, social, genetic, moral and other corruptions, it is illegal; and it is obligatory to reject and avert it, and the instigators would collapse of justice and deserve discretionary punishment.

2- If it does not involve cloning a complete human being, and only body parts or organs are produced, it can not be considered illegal.

3- Yes, such a person can become a Muslim, and in this regard, what is of prime importance is that a being should have the capacity for spiritual perfection, and regarding one's acts the important point is their legality and permissibility.