International Conference on
“Human Genetic and Reproductive Technologies: Comparing Religious and Secular Perspectives”

6-9 February 2006
Cairo, Egypt.

Introduction of the Seminar

Introduction Genetic Engineering is one of the hottest areas of ethical debate and moral dilemma. New breath taking discoveries and scientific developments are being announced almost every months and the world lacks the mechanisms to deal with such speedy discoveries and its impact on human life. Cloning, gene therapy, stem cell research, patenting of DNA, genetic screening, GM organisms and human genome project, are examples of such breakthroughs in genetic research. These discoveries are intimately related to ethical values, to the beliefs and the structure of any society. Thus there is an urgent need to make a conscious effort to develop and create a framework and to initiate a valid mechanisms to deal with these bioethical complex questions across different walks of life. The responsibility will be upon scientists of different disciplines, religious scholars and society as a whole to take a rational and objective decision regarding these issues.

Objectives:

The following objectives merit serious discussions:

1. Promote dialogue and discussions among different faiths which share the common ground relating to moral and ethical questions.

2. To promote consensus on various ethical issues both among scholars of different faiths and in general public.

3. To promote real public understanding of these discoveries which caused unprecedented world wide stir.

4. To find answers to extremely complex questions relating to cloning (especially with the alleged claim of human cloning and the birth of Eve), patenting stem cell research and screening of DNA, the individual right to privacy.

5. To discuss intriguing issues relating to human genome project and in implications.

Expected Results:

1. Currently the required framework for dialogue and discussion is lacking among the religious and scientific scholars across the different faiths. Hence the expected outcome is to establish and create this framework.

2. Strengthening the dialogue between academic, religious scholars and scientists of different faiths who share the common ground on moral and ethical questions. Any dialogue based on ignorance and scar mongering media will certainly be an ill informed dialogue.

3. Open an extra window of dialogue between different faiths regarding science and its ethical and moral ramifications.

Participants:

Scholars of different faiths (Muslims, Christians, Jews) and secular scientists who have reservations and share the same concern regarding these developments. All this diverse group will certainly contribute to the theme of the Seminar as well as reflecting the comprehensiveness, inclusiveness and fairness to the IOMS, EMRO & ISESCO as explained in term "Unity and Diversity".

Date and Venue

The Seminar will be held between 6th - 9th February 2006 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Cairo, Egypt.

Language

Language of Seminar will be Arabic & English with simultaneous interpretation.

Accommodation

The organizers will bear the cost of air-ticket and will make necessary boarding and lodging arrangements for the scholars for those, who are invited by special invitation only.

Cairo use to have a very moderate and fresh weather in February.

Communications

All correspondence to the Seminar should be addressed to :

Dr. Ahmed Regai El-Gendy,
Secretary General Assistant,
Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences (IOMS),
P.O.Box 31280,
Code:90803 Sulaibekhat,
Kuwait.
Tel: (00965 483 4984
Fax: (00965) 483 7854
E-mail: iomskuwait@yahoo.com or
E-mail: conference@islamset.org
URL : http://www.islamset.com