Communicating Agribiotechnology: Bridging theCommunication & Knowledge Divide between Scientists andUlama

Agricultural biotechnology is a rapidly growing technology that has attracted theattention of Islamic countries that are heavily dependent on imported food commoditiesfrom mainly countries that are major producers of genetically modified (GM) cropplants. More than 148 million hectares ofGM crops in 29 cOLIn tries were planted aroundthe world at the end of the year 20 IO. Rapid growth of this technology is associatedwith some ethical, trade and economic, social, and rei igious concerns. These concernshave fuelled vigorous debates among various stakeholders. One of the most sensitiveissues for Muslims who constitute more than 26(~o of global population is thehalal/haram issue. Although, there is no single fatwa ~lgainst the application of geneticengineering for agriculture in the Islamic world, possible uS~lge of porcine DNA ingenetic modification has become a major juridical deliberations among ulanta, in spiteof the fact that it is not being used currently. Therefore. it is instrumental thatdevelopments in biotechnology are openly discussed among the ulunu. and scientists tocreate awareness on these issues in order to gain tillʹ trust and confidence of thestakeholders involved. Religious authorities (ulama and Mufties) are considered as oneof the key stakeholders particularly in Islamic countries, Although we conclude thatIslamic countries are eager to accept foods derived from modem biotechnology ashalal food, but attempts made by anti-biotechnology activists to play up the religiousemotions necessitate dialogue among all stakeholders including scientists and ulama.This paper, attempts to describe the necessity of communicating agribiotechnology toIslamic scholars (ulama). Understanding modern biotechnology by Muslim scholars andthe principles of Islamic law (Shariah Principles) by scientists are of paramountimportance for the success of this technology in Islamic world. Basic knowledge onmodem biotechnology will enable ulama to make informed decisions when developingfatwa (Islamic law).