In recent years, the genetic testing and selection of IVF (in vitro fertilization) embryos, known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), has gained much traction in clinical assisted reproduction, for preventing the transmission of genetic defects to offspring (Fesahat, et al. 2020). A more controversial development is predictive genetic testing to select IVF embryos for optimal intelligence and other non–disease-related socially desirable traits such as tallness, fair complexion, athletic ability, and eye and hair colour, in what is referred to as preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic risks (PGT-P) (Chin 2022; Forzano, et al. 2022; Lencz, et al. 2022; Pagnaer, et al. 2021).

Because intelligence and other socially desirable traits are complex characteristics determined by the combination of multiple genes, polygenic scores are used to estimate an individual embryo’s likelihood of developing an adult-onset, multifactorial trait by analysing the combination of specific genetic variants within its genome (Chin 2022; Forzano, et al. 2022; Hujoel, et al. 2022; Lencz, et al. 2022; Pagnaer, et al. 2021). Unlike genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9 technology (Davies 2019), there are minimal risks because there is no genetic manipulation or modification. It is basically a technique for picking the “winning ticket” in the “genetic lottery” for optimal intelligence and other socially desirable traits among the various possible combination and permutation of genes that can occur during fertilization of the egg with sperm (Chin 2022; Forzano, et al. 2022; Hujoel, et al. 2022; Lencz, et al. 2022; Pagnaer, et al. 2021).

A recent large-scale survey conducted in the United States revealed that the desire to use polygenic testing to genetically enhance the intelligence and academic performance of one’s offspring is not confined to idiosyncratic and fringe elements within society (Heng 2023; Meyer, et al. 2023). Out of more than six thousand people polled, 38 per cent of respondents indicated that they would be willing to use polygenic testing to improve the chances of their child entering an elite university, while 28 per cent of respondents indicated they would even be willing to use gene editing to achieve this objective (Heng 2023; Meyer, et al. 2023). Hence, the utilization of PGT-P to screen and select IVF embryos for optimal intelligence and other non–disease-related socially desirable traits could likely represent lucrative business opportunities for IVF clinics worldwide. The question that arises is whether such a new technology application is religiously permissible for Muslims, who constitute a large fraction of the world’s population.

To start with, it must be noted that Islam in principle supports science and scientific inquiry, as part of its overall endorsement and encouragement for all beneficial knowledge (ʿilm nāfi’) (Abbott, et al. 2006; Khaled 2009), as attested by several verses in the Quran, such as verse 113 of surah al-Nisa', “And Allah has revealed to you the book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favour of Allah upon you been great.” In addition, one of the Islamic principles favours having a strong and healthy population in term of morals, as well as physical and intellectual prowess (Mohammad 2006a), as implied by verse 26 of Surah al-Qasas in the Quran, “One of the women said, ‘O my father, hire him.’ Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.”