DRAFT DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

International Seminar
on
Human Genetic and Reproductive Technologies: Comparing Religious and Secular Perspectives

6 to 9 February 2006
Cairo, Egypt

1. Human being is a dignified creature. Tampering with the components of humans and subjecting them to genetic engineering experiments without a legitimate purpose violates human dignity.

2. Religion does not subject human reason to rigid confines in engaging in pure scientific research; however it is not admissible for the outcomes of this research or its results to move automatically to the realm of practical applications until reviewed in the light of religious and ethical concerns.

3. The protection of health and the prevention of disease are endorsed by religion, and seeking medical treatment is a religious requirement. There is no difference in this respect between acquired and hereditary diseases and such endeavours do not reflect a lack of faith and trust in the Deity.

4. Every person is endowed with dignity and entitled to respect of his/her human rights and dignity regardless of his/her genetic features or characteristics.

5. No treatment or diagnosis involving the human genome of an individual may be undertaken other than pursuant to rigorous evaluation of the possible dangers associated with such activities. Such treatment or diagnosis should be carried out only in a manner compatible with religious and ethical norms. Nor should such treatment or diagnosis be carried out without obtaining the prior, free and informed consent of the individual in question. In instances in which the individual lacks capacity to manifest such an acceptance, the legal guardian's consent and permission must be required. Such consent must reflect the best interests of the individual concerned.

6. The right of every individual to decide to be informed or not to be informed of the results of genetic examinations, or the consequences thereof, to be carried out on him must be safeguarded.

7. All genetic diagnoses prepared or preserved for research or any other purpose must be governed by total confidentiality and must not be divulged other than in accordance with accepted principles of medical ethics and professional confidentiality.

8. It is not acceptable to expose any individual to any form of discrimination on the basis of genetic characteristics that would undermine his/her rights, fundamental freedoms or human dignity.

9. No research related to the human genome or to any applications of such research, in particular in the fields of biology, genetics or medicine, shall violate religious rights or respect for human rights; nor shall such research detract from the corpus of fundamental freedoms or the human dignity of any individual or group of individuals.

10. It is permissible to utilize genetic engineering to diagnose disease or to cure or alleviate human suffering. It is permissible to insert a gene from one non-human being into another non-human to obtain large quantities of the secretions of such gene for use as a treatment for some diseases. The State should provide such treatment for all citizens in the same manner as it guarantees access to other forms of health care.

11. It is not permissible to utilize genetic engineering either to attain malevolent or harmful ends or to circumvent the genetic barrier between the various species with the object of producing chimeric beings, or for purposes of amusement or scientific satisfaction.

12. It is not permissible to employ genetic engineering as a policy to alter the genetic structure for eugenic purposes. Any attempt to engage in genetic trials to tamper with an individual capacity to exercise full will or to compromise person's moral responsibility is prohibited.

13. It is not permissible to allow scientific advances to be monopolized nor is it permissible for gain or profit to be the prime objective of such activities.

14. No technological procedure in the field of human reproduction or genetic engineering should be undertaken if the harm it implies is certain or highly probable. Should the harm be limited, it is preferable to avoid such practices unless when if there is adequate justifications.

15. There is no problem in employing genetic engineering in agriculture and in animal husbandry provided that there are assurances that such activities will not result in long term harm to humans, animals, plants or the environment.

16. It is the duty of animal and plant origin food-producing and manufacturing companies and factories, to inform the public of the origin of products that are genetically engineered or those which are 100% bio-products. They must ensure that the sale of the products is preceded by full knowledge of the consumers. It is the duty of States to exercise scientific total vigilance in recording such results and to take account jointly of FDA's, WHO's and FAO's recommendations and decisions.