Assessing the Benefits and Harms of RNAi-Based Pesticides Through the Lens of Islamic Bioethics

RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticide technology is an alternative to synthetic pesticides or transgenic plants that are able to control, repel, or eliminate pests that could cause harm to crops or livestock. A notable example is Calantha™, the first commercially approved sprayable RNAi biopesticide, which received approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2024. Although RNAi technology holds promise with many potential benefits, there are still uncertainties about potential risks to humans and the environment. This study applies the Maslahah-Mafsadah (benefit-harm) framework from Maqasid al-Shari'ah (Islamic bioethics) to evaluate RNAi-based pesticides, analysing their implications through evidence-based, impact-based, and priority-based approaches. By addressing universal bioethical principles such as beneficence and non-maleficence, this study highlights how Islamic bioethical concepts can contribute to broader ethical discussions on emerging biotechnologies. The analysis considers pest management, environmental sustainability, human health, and socio-economic impacts, concluding that RNAi-based pesticides may be categorised as zanniyyah (probable) in terms of their benefits and risks. Consequently, the study underscores the ethical obligation to establish rigorous regulatory oversight, taking into considerations appropriate scientific evidence, environmental impact studies, and health assessments when evaluating the technology.