Genetics and Microchimerism in the Contemporary Society: An Exegetical Discourse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61166/maklumat.v4i1.106Keywords:
Quranic perspectives, Genetics, Microchimerism, BioethicsAbstract
The evolving nature of scientific issues in the contemporary society makes the world a complex terrain not only socially but also religiously. Among these issues are genetics and microchimerism which are related to individuals and the society. However, both concepts have become part and parcel of human life in the contemporary society as a result of technological advancement and civilization. It is important to note that the Muslims are being affected one way or the other through marital affairs. Thus, this paper delves into the concept of genetics and microchimerism by exploring its implications in the contemporary Muslims. The study adopts analytical method of research. Through this, it aims to analyze the concept of genetic and microchimerism, explore its implications on individuals and the society. It also provides insights into the ethical and moral dimensions of this phenomenon from the Quranic perspectives through the explanations of Mufassirūn in their exegetical works. The findings of this research highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of genetic and microchimerism, emphasizing the importance of addressing the ethical, social, and identity-related concerns associated with this phenomenon. This paper suggests further research on the intersection of genetics; Microchimerism and Islamic Jurisprudence. It also recommends the creation of awareness programme to enlighten the public on the ethical and societal implications of genetics and Microchimerism as well highlighting the limitation of DNA testing in determining child paternity.
Downloads
References
Abdel Haleem, M. A. S. (Trans.). (2005). The Qur’an. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Al-Suyuti, J. A. (1967). Tafsir al-Jalalayn Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Arabi.
Anthony J F, Susan R, Carroll, D. S. B., & Doebley, J. (2015). Introduction to genetic analysis (11th ed.).
Bianchi, D. W., Khosrotehrani, K., Way, S. S., MacKenzie, T. C., Bajema, I., & O'Donoghue, K. (2021). Forever Connected: The Lifelong Biological Consequences of Fetomaternal and Maternofetal Microchimerism. Clinical chemistry, 67(2), 351–362. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaa304
Boyon, C., Collinet, P., Boulanger, L., Rubod, C., Lucot, J. P., & Vinatier, D. (2011). Fetal microchimerism: benevolence or malevolence for the mother?. European Journal Of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 158(2), 148–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.05.008
Bukhari, M. b. I. (2001). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vol. 9). Darussalam.
Chan, W. F., Gurnot, C., Montine, T. J., Sonnen, J. A., Guthrie, K. A., & Nelson, J. L. (2012). Male microchimerism in the human female brain. PloS one, 7(9), e45592. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045592
Dawkins, R. (1976). The Selfish Gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ellis, K. A., et al. (2017). “Detection of male DNA in the blood of pregnant and non-pregnant women”. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 62(4), 931-936.
Giacomelli, R., Matucci-Cerinic, M., & Bombardieri, S. (2002). Microchimerism in Sjögren's syndrome. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 61(12), 1039–1040. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.12.1039
Golshani, M. (2003) Values and Ethical Issues in Science and Technology: A Muslim Perspective. Islamic Studies, 42 (2), 317-330.
Gonzalez-Garcia, et al. (2017). “Microchimerism in Sexual Relationships”. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 124, 77-83.
Guth, A. A., & Nelson, J. L. (2021). Microchimerism in Health and Disease: Current perspectives. Cellular & Molecular Immunology, 18(9), 2025-2037.
Ibn Kathir. (2001). Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim M. Abdul-Rahman, Trans.; Vol. 3, p. 234). Darussalam.
Ibn Rushd, M. b. A. (2004). Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah.
Jiang, T. T., Winslow, G. M., Struyk, A. F., Burt, R. A., & Nelson, J. L. (2019). Transfer of cellular microchimeric micro RNAs: A possible role in human health and disease. American Journal of Transplantation, 19(3), 686-695.
Kamali, M. H. (2005). Principles of Islamic jurisprudence. Islamic Texts Society.
Lipshitz H. D. (2021). The Origin of GENETICS. Genetics, 217(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaa024.
Maududi, S.A.A. (2006). Tafhimul Quran (Translation and commentary on the Quran)
Mosby, C.V., Glanze, W.D. and Anderson, K.N. (1996) Mosby Medical Encyclopedia. Revised Edition, The Signet, McLean.
MUHSIN, Amina Wadud. (1992). Qur'an and woman : Rereading the sacred text from a woman's perspective (2nd Ed.). Oxford: Oxford university.
Nasr, S. H. (1976). Islamic science: An illustrated study. World of Islam Festival Publishing Company Ltd., London.
Nasr, S. H. (2010). “The relationship between revelation and existence in Islam”. In K. Moris (Ed.), Revival of philosophy in Islam (pp. 33-48). Islamic Book Trust.
Nelson J. L. (2012). The otherness of self: microchimerism in health and disease. Trends in immunology, 33(8), 421–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2012.03.002
O'Donoghue K. (2008). Fetal microchimerism and maternal health during and after pregnancy. Obstetric medicine, 1(2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.1258/om.2008.080008
Qurtubi, M. A. (1967). Al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Qur'an (The Collection of the Rules of the Qur'an). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Arabi.
Shrivastava, S., Naik, R., Suryawanshi, H., & Gupta, N. (2019). Microchimerism: A new concept. Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology: JOMFP, 23(2), 311. https://doi.org/10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_85_17
Stevens, A. M. (2016). Microchimerism: A review of the literature. Journal of Autoimmunity, 69, 1-13.
Swazo, N. K. (2009). Islamic Biomedical Ethics: Principles and Application by Abdulaziz Sachedina (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. 280 pages.). American Journal of Islam and Society, 26(4), 111–113. https://doi.org/10.35632/ajis.v26i4.1367
Trost, B., Loureiro, L. O., & Scherer, S. W. (2021). Discovery of genomic variation across a generation. Human molecular genetics, 30(R2), R174–R186. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddab209.
Waldby, C. (2009). Bioethics with an attitude. The Hastings Center Report, 39(5), 23-29.
Waszak, M., Cieślik, K., Wielgus, K., Słomski, R., Szalata, M., Skrzypczak-Zielińska, M., Kempiak, J., & Bręborowicz, G. (2013). Microchimerism in twins. Archives of medical science : AMS, 9(6), 1102–1106. https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2013.39212
Waszak, M., Cieślik, K., Wielgus, K., Słomski, R., Szalata, M., Skrzypczak-Zielińska, M., Kempiak, J., & Bręborowicz, G. (2013). Microchimerism in twins. Archives of medical science : AMS, 9(6), 1102–1106. https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2013.39212
Williams, G. O. (2001). BIY 302 – Genetics – I. Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Saheed Adewale Badmus, Jalaludeen Shuaib Assayouti, Halimah Olajumoke Omotosho, Abdulmumeen Abdulmaleek Elejo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
