What does Islam say about genetic testing and gene editing?

The short answer

The Quran gives principles of human dignity, accountability, and care, but it does not name genetic tests or gene editing. Different uses can raise different questions, so consider the medical evidence, consent, privacy, and possible effects, then seek qualified medical and religious advice for a specific decision.

Evidence 1 2 3

Explanation

The Quran says Allah created people and made them peoples and tribes so they may know one another, and that honour before Allah is tied to righteousness 1. A genetic result should therefore not be used to demean people or claim that ancestry determines a person's moral worth. The Quran also says not to pursue what one has no knowledge of 2, a useful warning against treating uncertain test results or online interpretations as certainty.

Genetic technologies are not one single procedure. A test for a serious inherited condition, a test for ancestry, an embryo screening decision, and editing genes can differ in purpose, risk, consent, and effects on other people. The Quran describes Allah as the giver of children and mentions that some people are made barren 3; it does not explain how to rule on each modern intervention.

Ask a genetic counselor or physician what a result can and cannot show, who may access it, and whether relatives could be affected. For gene editing or reproductive decisions, discuss the actual procedure and its likely consequences with a qualified scholar familiar with contemporary medicine. This answer offers principles, not a categorical ruling on every test or intervention.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Quran Al-Hujuraat · 49:13

    People are made into nations and tribes to know one another; honour before Allah is by righteousness.

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرࣲ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبࣰ ا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرࣱ‏ ۝١٣

    O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted

  2. 2
    Quran Al-Israa · 17:36

    Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of; human faculties are accountable.

    وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولࣰ ا ۝٣٦

    And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned

  3. 3
    Quran Ash-Shura · 42:49–50

    Allah gives children and describes different family circumstances, including barrenness.

    لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثࣰ ا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ ۝٤٩ أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانࣰ ا وَإِنَٰثࣰ اۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمࣱ قَدِيرࣱ‏ ۝٥٠

    49 To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males 50 Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent

This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-25

Report an issue

Tell us what is wrong. Every report is read.

What is the problem?