The legal status of lab-grown meat in the light of Islamic jurisprudence

Abstract

This study examines the jurisprudential and ethical legality of the lab-grown meat within the context of the Islamic jurisprudence, one of the most urgent questions arising due to the science. Cellular agriculture and lab-grown meat have been touted as a means of more sustainable and humanely raised meat, and one that does not depend on the slaughter of animals. The possible advantages that are associated with it include the mitigation of environmental degradation, the alleviation of the global food insecurity concern, and the minimization of animal cruelty. Nonetheless, in the case of Muslim societies, the key issue would be its halal and tayyib-friendly nature. The paper reviews scientific work on the production of lab-grown meat, starting with the extraction of animal cells, the culture and the use of scaffolds and growth media. Special emphasis is put on ascertaining the source cell origin in terms of halal animals, the growth medium must contain only permissible ingredients and that the end product must be free of impurity (najasa). The paper also examines Quranic injunctions, Prophetic traditions, and juristic rules, especially the use of qiyas (analogy), maslahah (public interest), and maqasid al-shariah (objectives of Shariah), to the modern technologies of food. Comparative learning in the four major schools of Islam jurisprudence indicates flexibility to different extents. The Hanafi and Maliki schools are comparatively tolerant in thought with strict conditions of halal sources whereas the Shafi and Hanbali schools tend to be more reserved. Modern scholars such as Muhammad Taqi Usmani and Yusuf al-Qaradawi also urge that the production process should be one that avoids even the slightest bit of haram. In addition, the importance of worldwide halal certification organizations is pointed out, as their requirements will play a tremendous role in defining the halal acceptability of lab-grown meat in the Muslim markets. The study concludes that lab-grown meat will be permissible in case it is produced in accordance with the Shariah requirements throughout all stages of production. When produced and processed according to halal standards it could be an effective substitute to conventional meat, with a beneficial health, environmental, and food security impacts. However, the practices of collective ijtihad and academic pursuit must and should persist to solve outstanding matters.

Keywords: Lab-grown meat, Islamic jurisprudence, Halal food laws, Cellular agriculture, Maqasid al-Shariah, Halal certification, Food security