Islamic and Christian Viewpoints on Biomedical Aspects of ‎Life Beginning and Terminal Stage

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.‎

Abstract

Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, as the major Abrahamic religions, are grounded in belief in one Almighty God who created the world and sent messengers to guide humanity. Despite differences in theology and practice, these religions share common moral foundations that extend to medical ethics. Ethics, as a discipline, examines moral character and moral status, determining what rights and responsibilities are due to human beings and other living creatures. Medical ethics, as an applied branch, provides professional codes and value-based frameworks that help practitioners manage moral dilemmas in clinical practice and reduce moral distress in decision-making. In recent decades, particularly in the third millennium, Islamic and Christian scholars have increasingly engaged in dialogue to develop guidelines that address ethical challenges arising from modern medical technologies, especially at the beginning and end of life. The present study aims to review Islamic and Christian ethical guidelines for healthcare professionals encountering such dilemmas. Using content analysis, the study examines contemporary medical guidelines, professional codes, and academic materials, focusing on countries where healthcare systems are highly influenced by modern technologies, such as Britain, Australia, the United States, and several European nations. Findings show that these regions have developed extensive literature on ethical issues related to assisted reproduction and end-of-life care, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike face comparable moral challenges. The analysis reveals significant similarities between Islamic and Christian ethical perspectives, particularly in their shared opposition to induced abortion and euthanasia, both grounded in the belief that life is a sacred gift from God. These shared values influence not only clinical practice but also establish moral boundaries for biomedical research.

Keywords

References

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Theosophia Islamica
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
November 2025
Pages 283-316

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