Touche. > [Original Message] > From: John M. Poythress <brerfox@bellsouth.net> > To: <POYTHRESS-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 4/17/2006 4:57:47 PM > Subject: DNA Project > > It grieves me greatly to know that we are operating on the wrong side of > Sharia law: > > April 16, 2006 > Opinion: DNA Should Not Be Used as a Tool to Identify Family Trees > An unsigned article in the Arab Times of Kuwait claims that use of DNA > will lead to the "disintegration of families." > The article objects to the use of DNA, mostly on religious grounds, > claiming that such technology is against Islamic Sharia (the code of law > based on the Koran). The article quotes Dr. Mohammed Al-Tabtabaei, Dean > of the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, who > stated, "Islam does not allow the use of DNA fingerprinting to prove > genealogy and no family can reject any of its members based on results > of such tests." He also said that Islam does not allow linking the > crimes of fathers to sons as each of them is accountable for his own > actions. > However, Dr. Al-Tabtabaei conceded that DNA has many uses outside of > family tree studies. He stated, "Although security departments can use > DNA fingerprinting for issues related to national security, this > technology should not be used as a tool to identify the family tree of > anybody." > Dr Ahmed Al-Hajji, a Fiqhi (Islamic jurisprudence) expert, said, "If > there is no other strong proof, DNA fingerprinting can be used to > identify maternal relationship if two women claim to be the mother of > the same child. However, this technology cannot be used to prove > paternal relations." The Islamic Juristic Group (IJG) said, "DNA > fingerprinting can be used only in criminal investigations and not to > identify the genealogy of anyone. In case of disputes over a new born > baby or lost child, such tests can be used to identify the parents of > the child." > > (from Dick Eastman's 4/17 newsletter) > > > > > ==== POYTHRESS Mailing List ==== > Poythress Genealogy Research Web > www.poythress.net >