Evaluation of Islamic perspectives regarding a medical condition known as disorders of sex development (DSD)

This study is conducted so as to evaluate Sunni Islamic perspectives concerning the medical issue known as Disorders of Sex Development (DSD). DSD is defined as a congenital condition in which development of chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. It is a condition in which sex ambiguity occurs and can be detected within the scope of biological distraction. This issue is crucial since it severely impacts upon the identity of the patients and will lead to lower quality of life if the case is not managed in the best way. In Islam, these issues are typically considered in the context of khunūthah (hermaphroditism), which remained unchanged in nature. However, current biomedical technology has increased our insight into this complex condition. Biomedical studies have appeared to provide a large amount of information on abnormal human biological development. However, the connection between these two fields has been given little attention. Dynamism of Islamic perspectives is required to resolve biomedical issues over gender ambiguity. This research sets out, in order, to: i) conduct an in-depth research study from Islamic perspectives on cases related to sex ambiguity in terms of various types of khunthā and associated gender assignment by taking into account the type and the extent of the condition of DSD the patient is currently being faced with; ii) identify the Islamic bioethical underpinnings for DSD conditions affecting gender assignment, treatment and the decision-making process; and iii) determine the need for the involvement of Muslim scholars in a multidisciplinary team to manage patients with DSD. As cultural context is inseparable from biomedical ethics, this study is conducted by acknowledging its regional context of South East Asian especially in exploring the latter objective in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The data is collected through analysis of written material, in-depth interviews and questionnaires. The findings show the connection between khunūthah and DSD and the underlying concept of Islamic biomedical ethics opens a way to progressively move with current biotechnological findings on human biological development. It also becomes a tool in managing Muslim patients with DSD with regard to the gender assignment, the treatment and the decision-making process with the involvement of Muslim scholars in a multidisciplinary team.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Zabidi, Taqwa

• BP Islam. Bahaiaeth. Theosoffi, ac yn y blaen

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:1618