Overview

Iran is one of the most progressive countries in the Muslim world. Its legal system is uniquely based on Shi’a school of Islam that is practiced through a religious democracy. Unfortunately, few laws explicitly grant freedom of research and treatment. One area of clear support for freedom of research is embryonic stem cell research. Iran law allows researchers to utilize existing hESC lines and use supernumerary embryos created but not used for IVF purposes. Shi'ite clerics argue that this is permissible under Islamic law because the fetus is given a soul at 120 days. Indeed, in 2002 Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, issued a “stem cell fatwa” that declared that experimentation with human embryos was consistent with Shia tradition and congratulated the scientists who had produced hESC lines. Iran then became the first Muslim country to produce, culture and freeze hESCs. ART grew because of the cultural opposition towards adoption. Although many forms assisted reproduction are available and have been legitimized by religious authorities, there is a lack of legislation except with regard to embryo donation. Embryo donation consists judicially -authorized transfer of embryos developed through IVF from gametes of a fertile couple to an infertile couple. Sperm donation is controversial. Based on some religious authority permission (Fatwas), sperm donation is permissible. On the other hand, Sunni Islam has categorically forbidden the use of third-party reproductive practices, comparing it to adultery (zina) as a violation of the marital commitment to fidelity. Ultimately there is no legislation permitting it. Egg donation, which is also not explicitly permitted or prohibited, is performed via the use of temporary marriage (mut’a) between the male half of an infertile married couple and a female egg donor. Surrogacy is practice and agreements are enforceable although the legal basis for practicing it is complex and contested. Some scholars resolve the problem in favor of its permissibility by arguing that the genetic linkage (nasab) between baby and mother is with the genetic source of the egg rather than the women who carried out the pregnancy. Homosexual couples cannot access ART because homosexuality is a crime punishable by imprisonment, corporal punishment, or in some cases of “sodomy,” even execution. Single women cannot access ART. Abortion is legal only if the mother is in danger or if the foetus is diagnosed with certain defects. While non-therapeutic abortion is not an accepted practice, Shi’a jurists inside Iran accept maternal health and certain fetal problems (but not probable deformity) as valid grounds for therapeutic abortion. In 2014, Iran banned permanent contraception (vasectomy and similar intervnetions on women) and advertising of birth control in a country where condoms had been widely available and family planning considered entirely normal. Euthanasia is a criminal offence. Since Islamic jurisprudence does not recognize a person’s right to die voluntarily, scholars often interpret the Islamic criminal code of 2011 as prohibiting active and passive, voluntary and involuntary, euthanasia. However, some scholars argue that Article 268 of the “Law for Islamic Penalties” provides the legal basis for not punishing physician-assisted suicide. The provision states: “If the victim pardons the murderer from Qisas before death, the right of Qisas will be removed and the heirs of the slain person may not demand Qisas after his/her death.” Under this interpretation, if a patient consent, the doctor is neither punished criminally nor held liablie in tort. Some emergency contraceptives are marketed. Plan B can be obtained directly from a pharmacist without a prescription. Mifepristone is not available. FURTHER READINGS: Abbasi-Shavazi, Mohammad Jalal, Marcia C Inhorn, Hajiieh Bibi Razeghi-Nasrabad, and Ghasem Toloo. "The" Iranian ART revolution": infertility, assisted reproductive technology, and third-party donation in the Islamic Republic of Iran." Journal of Middle East Women's Studies 4, no. 2 (2008): 1-28. Saniei, Mansooreh. "Human embryonic stem cell science and policy: The case of Iran." Social Science & Medicine, no. 98, (2013): 345-350. Omani Samani, Reza, Ahmad Vosough Taghi Dizaj, Mohammad Reza Rezania Moalem, Seyed Taha Merghati, and Leila Alizadeh. "Access to Fertility Treatments for Homosexual and Unmarried Persons, through Iranian Law and Islamic Perspective." International Journal of Fertility & Sterility 1, no. 3 (2007): 127-130. Abbasi, Mahmoud, Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki, and Hasan Fakour. "Legal Protection for Biomedical Ethics in Islamic Republic of Iran." Medical Law 2, no. 3 (2013): 7-44. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Leila Afshar, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Aabortion

Abortion

35 pts out of 100 / 100,00% complete

35 pts

Abortion and contraception allow women to express their freedom of reproduction by exercising their right of self-determination over their bodies.


Measurement questions

Is abortion lawful to protect woman's life?

Legal during 1st trimester only

Is abortion lawful to protect woman's physical health?

No

Is abortion lawful to protect woman's mental health?

No

Is abortion lawful in the event the woman was raped?

No

Is abortion lawful in the event of fetal defects?

Legal during 1st trimester only

Does the law mandate that an abortion is performed at the mere request of a pregnant woman?

No

Is RU-486 (Mifepristone) approved or registered for use?

No

Are emergency contraception drugs lawfully available?

Yes, from a pharmacist without requiring a prescription

Are family planning services provided through government-run programs and facilities?

Yes, directly

Is spousal notification/permission required?

No

Assisted reproduction

Assisted Reproduction

67 pts out of 100 / 100,00% complete

67 pts

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are the methods used to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. Access to assisted reproduction concerns our ability to expand our right to health by offering us access to treatment to overcome infertility.


Measurement questions

Is preimplantation genetic diagnosis permissible?

Yes with no restrictions

Is oocyte cryopreservation permissible?

Yes

Is embryo cryopreservation permissible for reproductive purposes?

Yes

Is sperm donation permissible?

No

Is oocyte donation permissible?

Yes

Are IVF surrogacy agreements enforceable?

Yes, commercial and not

Marital status requirements?

Yes

Do same-sex couples have access to ART?

No

Do single women have access to ART?

No

Are there any limits on the number of pre-embryos that can be transferred?

No

End Off Life

End of life

6 pts out of 100 / 100,00% complete

6 pts

End of life decisions concern our ability to make choices concerning the end of our lives and take of the form of refusal of life sustaining treatment, being help in committing suicide, choosing euthanasia, and make choices that must be upheld even when the person becomes unconscious. As Young (2010) noted, "People have an interest in making important decisions about their lives in accordance with their own conception of how they want their lives to go."


Measurement questions

Is passive euthanasia lawful?

Legally prohibited

Is active euthanasia lawful?

Legally prohibited

Is physician-assisted suicide lawful?

No but doctors are not prosecuted

Are advance directives (AD) enforceable?

No

Is a physician required to respect a patient's refusal of life-sustaining treatment?

Never

Research With Embryo

Research with embryos

0 pts out of 100 / 0,00% complete

0 pts

Research with embryos and pre-embryos as well as therapeutic cloning concerns scientists’ freedom to investigate human biology as well as patients’ freedom to access regenerative medicine treatments that may be developed as a result of research with human embryonic stem cells. Since the early 2000s, research with embryos has been at the center of an often-polarized debate about the nature and scope of scientific freedom.


Measurement questions

Is basic research using germline modification in human embryos/gametes permitted?

Is pre-clinical research using germline modification technologies in animals permitted?

Is clinical research using germline modification technologies in humans permitted?

Are clinical applications of research using germline modification technologies (i.e., to initiate a pregnancy with edited embryos or with edited gametes) permitted?

GM Crops

GM Crops

0 pts out of 100 / complete

0 pts

GM crops have contributed significantly to modern agriculture. Plant breeding using genetic modification techniques has led to improving crops in more targeted ways than classical breeding techniques. GM crops acquire desirable characteristics, including pest and herbicide resistance, enhanced robustness against diseases, drought or water tolerance, and healthier profiles that can enhance nutrition.


Measurement questions

Is research on GMOs permitted in the laboratories?

Is notification to start research on GMOs in laboratories required?

Is research on GMOs frequent?

Are GM crop field trials (the limited release into the environment for research purposes) permitted?

Is authorization to start a GM crop field trial required?

Are GM crop field trials frequent?

Is cultivation of GM crops (for commercial purposes) in open field permitted?

Is authorization to start open field cultivation of GM crops required?

Is open field cultivation of GM crops frequent?

Can GM crop commodities harvested in other countries be imported?

Is authorization to import GM crop commodities required?

Is the import of GM crop commoties frequent?

Right To Science Indicators

Right To Science Indicators


Measurement questions

- Access to benefits

What is the total general government expenditure on education?

19.3

What is the expenditure on tertiary as % of government expenditure on education?

29.83

What is the the percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed a doctoral degree or equivalent?

What is the percentage of population that uses the Internet?

53.23

What is the quality of math and science education on a scale from 1 to 7 being "excellent"?

4.5

To what extent is the Internet used in schools for learning purposes?

3.7

What is the scientific literacy of 15-year-old students as measured by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)(mean score)?

- Opportunities to participate

Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in hiring?

No

What is the percentage of females employed with advanced degrees out of total employed?

- Enabling environment

How many scientific and technical journal articles are published each year in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, clinical medicine, biomedical research, engineering and technology, and earth and space sciences?

40974.5

What is the percentage of GDP allocated to Research and Development?

How may published articles have received at least H citations in the period 1996–2014?

15.9

What is the quality of scientific research institutions?

4

To what extent do business and universities collaborate on research and development (R&D)?

3.2

What is the average university ranking score of countries based on their top 3 universities?

25.9

To what extent are scientists and engineers available?

4.5

How many professionals are employed as researchers?

How many professionals are employed by government as researchers?

- International cooperation

To what extent are talented people attracted from abroad?

2.6

Recent News about Iran

Iran Bans Vasectomies, Curbs Birth Control in Push to Boost Population

By Ladane Nasseri    Dubai: Iran’s parliament has banned vasectomies and tubectomies except to save a person’s life as part of the nation’s push to promote bigger families. The parliament also voted on Monday to prohibit the “promotion of birth control” and said that media outlets that don’t comply risk being suspended for as long as

Iran bans permanent contraception

Iran banned permanent contraception (vasectomy and similar intervnetions on women). The bill also bans the advertising of birth control in a country where condoms had been widely available and family planning considered entirely normal. The ban aims to reverse the decline in Iran’s population, but reformists see the law as part of a drive by conservatives to