DESIGNER BABY DAN SEMPADAN BIOTEKNOLOGI MANUSIA: ANALISIS PERUNDANGAN BERDASARKAN MAQASID SYARIAH DAN LIABILITI JENAYAH

DESIGNER BABY AND THE LIMITS OF HUMAN BIOTECHNOLOGY: A LEGAL ANALYSIS BASED ON MAQASID SYARIAH AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY

Authors

  • Nurul A'ini Zalizan Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Hasnizam Hashim Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia / Centre of Research for Fiqh Forensics and Judiciary (CFORSJ), Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia / Centre of Research for Fiqh Forensics and Judiciary (CFORSJ), Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Aniq Aiman Alias Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Ahmad Syukran Baharuddin Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia / Centre of Research for Fiqh Forensics and Judiciary (CFORSJ), Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia / Research Fellow, Maqasid Institute, United States of America (USA) / International Advisory Board Member, Mejellat Al-Afaq wa Al-Maarif (JSKP), Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Sciences and Civilization, University Amar Telidji of Laghouat, BP 37G, Road of Ghardaia, 03000 Laghouat, Algeria
  • Syaryanti Hussin Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Baidar Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/wxnanf10

Keywords:

Designer baby, human genetic modification, Maqasid Syariah, criminal liability, designer baby, pengubahsuaian genetik manusia, liabiliti jenayah

Abstract

The phenomenon of designer babies represents a form of modern biotechnological innovation that enables genetic modification of human embryos to produce offspring with specific traits such as intelligence, physical appearance, and desired health attributes. While this technology offers significant medical potential, it raises complex ethical, religious, and legal concerns due to human intervention in the divine order of creation. The objective of this paper is to analyze the issue of designer babies from the perspectives of Islamic law and criminal law, and to identify the boundaries established by the Syariah, as well as the relevant legal provisions concerning human genetic modification. This paper also examines the implications of such technology on the principles of Maqasid Syariah, as well as potential criminal liabilities arising from misuse, moral transgression, or exploitation of human life. This study employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing content analysis of classical and contemporary sources, including jurists' opinions, fatwas, scholarly journals, legal maxims (qawaid fiqhiyyah), and medical ethics resolutions. The significance of this study lies in its examination of Islamic perspectives and legal frameworks governing the application of genetic technology on humans, including potential civil and Syariah criminal liabilities. Preliminary findings indicate that Islam permits genetic modification for therapeutic purposes such as treatment and prevention of diseases. However, Islam rejects any form of manipulation intended for cosmetic enhancement, gender selection without medical necessity, or human capability enhancement, deeming such practices as unlawful and potentially constituting a criminal act. This paper contributes to the development of Islamic bioethical discourse and criminal law by proposing that comprehensive Syariah-compliant and legal guidelines be formulated to regulate the use of genetic technologies in a manner consistent with human dignity and the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid Syariah).

 

ABSTRAK

Fenomena designer baby merujuk kepada inovasi bioteknologi moden yang membolehkan pengubahsuaian genetik terhadap embrio manusia bagi menghasilkan zuriat dengan ciri tertentu, termasuk aspek kesihatan, kecerdasan dan rupa paras. Walaupun teknologi ini berkembang pesat dalam bidang perubatan reproduktif, penggunaannya menimbulkan persoalan etika dan implikasi perundangan yang serius kerana melibatkan campur tangan manusia terhadap fitrah kejadian yang ditetapkan oleh Allah SWT. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis isu designer baby daripada perspektif hukum syarak dan undang-undang jenayah dengan meneliti batas-batas keharusan syariah serta implikasi liabiliti jenayah yang berpotensi timbul daripada pengubahsuaian genetik manusia. Kajian ini menggunakan metodologi kualitatif melalui analisis kandungan terhadap sumber-sumber primer dan sekunder, termasuk karya fiqh klasik dan kontemporari, pendapat fuqaha, fatwa, qawāʿid fiqhiyyah, resolusi perubatan serta penulisan akademik berkaitan bioetika dan perundangan. Analisis turut dijalankan berdasarkan kerangka Maqasid Syariah dan prinsip undang-undang jenayah Islam serta sivil, khususnya dalam konteks penyalahgunaan teknologi, pelanggaran etika penyelidikan dan eksploitasi terhadap manusia. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa pengubahsuaian genetik dibenarkan dalam Islam secara terhad, iaitu bagi tujuan rawatan dan pencegahan penyakit yang serius serta selari dengan prinsip pemeliharaan nyawa dan keturunan. Namun demikian, sebarang bentuk manipulasi genetik yang bertujuan kosmetik, pemilihan jantina tanpa keperluan perubatan atau peningkatan keupayaan manusia adalah ditolak kerana bercanggah dengan Maqasid Syariah dan berpotensi diklasifikasikan sebagai suatu bentuk kesalahan jenayah. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengukuhan wacana bioetika Islam dan perundangan dengan mengemukakan keperluan penggubalan garis panduan syariah serta kerangka undang-undang yang lebih komprehensif bagi mengawal penggunaan teknologi genetik manusia agar selari dengan nilai kemanusiaan dan prinsip keadilan.

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Published

2025-12-29

How to Cite

DESIGNER BABY DAN SEMPADAN BIOTEKNOLOGI MANUSIA: ANALISIS PERUNDANGAN BERDASARKAN MAQASID SYARIAH DAN LIABILITI JENAYAH: DESIGNER BABY AND THE LIMITS OF HUMAN BIOTECHNOLOGY: A LEGAL ANALYSIS BASED ON MAQASID SYARIAH AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY. (2025). LexForensica: Journal of Forensic Justice and Socio-Legal Research, 2(2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.33102/wxnanf10