The February session of Torah for Tycoons, held on Zoom Wednesday night, February 2nd, featured It’s in the Genes: Genetically Modified Products & Halacha. Presented by Kollel Senior Educator Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher, the class and discussion focused on a number of halachic issues that arise regarding genetically modified foods as well as genetically modified organs grown in animals and transplanted into humans. Rabbi Fleisher examined questions such as: Is it halachically permissible to create GMOs? Are there any kashrus concerns with GMOs? Is there any issue with growing genetically modified organs in animals or transplanting them into humans? Citing sources ranging from the Torah itself down to contemporary halachic authorities such as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch, Rabbi Fleisher discussed where halachic issues could arise, such as genes from a non-kosher fish being inserted into a kosher fish, and where there is little halachic issue, such as saving a human life by transplanting a genetically modified heart grown in a pig for use in humans. Stay tuned for details on the March T4T session!
To hear a recording of the class, click here.