Western medical ethics and the moral dilemma of Muslim physicians

Abstract

As the process of political and economic globalization induce non-western countries to progressively westernize, secular ethical values will gradually dominate. If this westem influence were allowed to continue unabated, this ethical globalization would surely show its effect on the practice of medicine in Muslim countries. In fact many Muslim western minded medical practitioners are already voicing their support to the endorsement of secular western medical ethics in spite of the fact that some of its practices may contradict Islamic beliefs and values. These are the new revolutionary practices such as abortion, euthanasia, cloning, plastic surgery and that of changing sex, rented uteruses, sperm banks, unrestricted genetic engineering and human spare parts generated by stem cells. Committed Muslim doctors are thus finding themselves in a dilemma. Secular and uncommitted Muslim patients want to benefit from such medical interventions but doing it is contrary to their Islamic values.