“The Debate on the Status of the Embryo in the Middle East from a Comparative Perspective: Religious, Cultural and Political Aspects”

Abstract:
The debate on the status of the embryo is a central issue in medical and bioethics because it is linked in many ways to medical practice, research activity and above all everyday human life. In the international discourse on bioethics and medical ethics, “the Islamic position” on the status of the embryo is usually described as a gradual protection of the developing life. It is often contrasted with the strict protection advocated in particular by the Catholic Church. The lecture will first give a short introduction into bioethics and medical ethics. Then it will show the diversity of positions in Islam and the Middle East and look at them from a comparative perspective, focussing on religious, cultural and political aspects.

Bio:
Nils Fischer studied Philosophy, Islamic Studies, Arabic and Iranian Studies in Bonn, Tehran and Damascus. He worked at different German universities (Vinzenz Pallotti University in Vallendar, Humboldt-University in Berlin, University of Bonn) in different positions (university administration, senior research assistant, lecturer, student assistant) mainly at interdisciplinary ethics and health departments. 
Lababidi co-founded the working group “Medical Ethics and Islam” and co-edits the Journal of Medicine, Ethics & Islam.

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