THE LEGAL RULING OF USING PORK PARTS FOR MEDICATION: A COMPARATIVE LEGAL STUDY

Abstract

Seeking medication from diseases is allowed, and it is covered by the mandatory provisions. However, voluntarily use forbidden and impure materials for medication are not allowed. Yet, necessity may turn forbidden items lawful under limited circumstances.  If wine turns into vinegar without external intervention, it becomes lawful. The same applies to other impurities. Pork, according to the majority view, is impure in itself. The same applied to all of its parts. However, according to the preferred legal view, we may use its parts, such kidney, liver or heart, for transplants, if possible, provided that the life of the patient will be saved thereby. This ruling, for some scholars, does not apply to use pork insulin. However, the preferred view is that it is allowed once pure materials are not available to develop pure insulin. This is a case of necessity. Concerning drugs made of pork gelatin, if fully transformed, such gelatin is considered pure and may be used. Applying the same concept of material transformation from one state to another, we may use pork derivatives to make COVI-19 vaccine, including pork veins and skin to treat burns, in addition to heart. However, some jurists consider this procedure forbidden.