IIFA resolution 266 (11/26) on genetically modified foods of animal origin

A collective resolution of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy permitting genetically modified foods of animal origin under three conditions. ¹

The Academy's council considered the research and deliberations on genetically modified foods of animal origin. ¹

The Academy defined these foods as products taken from living animals whose genetic material has been altered by genetic engineering, by inserting genes from other animals or by deleting, modifying or rearranging genes. ¹ It noted that the aims of such modification are to make the animal more resistant to disease, improve its nutritional value, speed its growth or adapt it to particular environments. ¹ It permitted consuming them on conditions: the modification is done by safe methods that neither contravene the sharia nor harm health; it takes place between two animals that are lawful to eat; and the necessary information about the modified food and how it was produced is disclosed. ¹

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy, an organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, adopted this as resolution 266 at its 26th session in Doha (6–10 Dhu al-Qa'da 1446, 4–8 May 2025), and published it on iifa-aifi.org. ¹ The museum records this text as a historical document attributed to the body or scholar that issued it; it issues no ruling of its own.