According to IKNA News Agency from Khurasan Razavi, Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi, a teacher of al-Bahth al-Kharij and director of the Center for Contemporary Jurisprudence, today, February 8, 2025 at the conference “Jurisprudential Review of the Use of Stem Cells” held at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, lran referring to the methods of dealing with emerging issues with an emphasis on the use of stem cells, stated: Jurisprudence claims to regulate human life in various dimensions; therefore, adopting a jurisprudential stance on emerging issues is of particular importance.
Referring to the various solutions for solving new issues, the Director of the Center for Contemporary Jurisprudence said: In some cases, emerging issues are resolved by using secondary titles and rulings, which do not differ much from old issues; because these titles always retain their application.
He added that governmental and secondary rulings are not limited to emerging issues, and new issues can be reached by utilizing these tools. He emphasized: In the current situation, finding the primary ruling of each phenomenon is of great importance, especially in a world where the speed of growth and emergence of new phenomena is such that it eliminates the opportunity for reflection and can be considered as a threat to new technologies.
Introducing the key elements and tools for extracting religious rulings in the field of emerging issues, especially in relation to stem cells, Nur Mufidi emphasized: The first factor is adopting a realistic approach towards new technologies. In addition, two optimistic and pessimistic attitudes are also raised in the interpretation of new technologies.
He added: The pessimistic and optimistic attitudes that are raised outside of religious scientific circles towards new technologies are based on theoretical, philosophical, anthropological and value principles. The main argument of these views is based on the fact that technology cannot exist without cultural support and without side effects.
He stated: A pessimistic attitude towards technology poses serious threats to humanity and can lead to dehumanization, alienation, distortion of human relationships, loss of cultural ties and a decrease in spirituality. In his opinion, the positions taken regarding technologies such as satellites and the Internet are an example of this attitude that will also be influential in other areas.
Nur Mufidi added: Within the framework of a pessimistic attitude, disadvantages and abuses are highlighted, while an optimistic attitude only emphasizes strengths and does not look at any shortcomings. He stated that if we express these two perspectives in different terms, they can be called the instrumental perspective and the software perspective.
He continued: “The realistic approach is a combination of simultaneously observing the strengths and weaknesses of the technology. In the field of stem cells, both perspectives exist and are being used in Iran. From a futurist perspective, the disadvantages of stem cell technology cannot be ignored.
Noormafidi emphasized: Stem cells undoubtedly have many advantages, but like other technologies, they may be abused; for example, commercialization, becoming a phenomenon similar to cell tourism, and exploitation of women in the process of producing or extracting stem cells are among the existing concerns.
He added: In addition, the possibility of providing a basis for the production of biological weapons is raised as another negative aspect of this technology. Therefore, we should not ignore the benefits and advantages of technology due to the possibility of abuse; rather, we should demand a realistic approach to emerging phenomena. However, confronting extreme and excessive views in dealing with technologies requires comprehensive and accurate studies of all aspects of the issue.
He stated: In some types of stem cells, the issue of personality change has been discussed. When stem cells are extracted from a laboratory-produced embryo that has the potential to become a human, the question arises as to whether such an act is considered to be the destruction of a potential human being and whether the cells can transfer the personality traits of the donor to the recipient?
Nurmafidi explained: Whether these cells transfer the personality of a human being from the donor to the recipient is a matter of debate and study; while it is common for any ruling to be issued with regard to the cause and effect relationship, meaning that without the existence of the subject, the ruling becomes meaningless.
He said: The issues that fall under the Shari’ah ruling are those that God Almighty has mentioned. For example, although the homeland has a meaning, there are limits and criteria in place for the Shari’ah to determine a specific ruling for it. Therefore, these issues require customary law to clarify them.