Scope:
Religion and culture have a tremendous bearing on ethics and morality. Islam, as both a religion and a way-of-life, is particularly influential in this respect. Its clear, unequivocal values and injunctions grant Muslims a pioneering role in protecting human ethical values and serving the welfare of communities as well as individuals. Notwithstanding efforts by non-Muslim legislators in Western societies, their ethical statutes often fall short of the mark.

Islamic jurisprudence, in its vast diversity, can accommodate new developments, yet its foundations are firm enough to preclude slippery compromises - thus constituting a safe haven indeed. Therefore, it is the responsibility of Muslims to formulate a tight ethical code which is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Islamic Shariah, yet sufficiently flexible to face the new challenges produced by contemporary practices in the fields of Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine.

The programme addresses biomedical ethics from the Islamic perspective. It provides training and experience in the principles and practice of modern Biology and Medicine, enabling students to apply their knowledge to form a clear concept of the research problems they are planning to investigate. It is designed to increase their competence, awareness and rational thinking when addressing contemporary science and its diverse applications.

Objectives:

• To offer a stimulating pathway to students wishing to undertake a career in Biomedical Ethics as viewed from the Islamic perspective.
• To produce graduates who combine a knowledge of the methodology of identifying and formulating a viewpoint on issues of ethical dimensions in science and medicine, with the ability to relate it to the relevant framework of law and jurisprudence.
• To provide a platform for different cultures to debate on issues of global import.
• The accumulated research work should - in the long run - constitute a rich source of knowledge that would be accessible to legislators in the Islamic World, thereby bestowing upon the Oxford Academy for Advanced Studies recognition as an authority of international standing in this unique field.

• Introductory taught courses leading to a Diploma; or enabling students to qualify for a transfer to:
  
• Research leading to MPhil and PhD degrees.

• The Science Module, covering aspects of Cellular, Molecular Biology, Human Genetics as well as a study of the Physiological Aspects of Human Reproduction, and Organ and Tissue Transplantation;
  
• The Islamic Law Module, covering Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (including Sources of Islamic Law), and Shariah Objectives (including Islamic Morals and Ethics);
  
• The Information Technology Module, covering internet research and CD-ROM database searches.