Is Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA) Halal to invest in?
Table of Contents
How much of Ginkgo’s revenue comes from haram?
Ginkgo Bioworks develops a platform for cell programming, enabling the biological production of novel therapeutics, food ingredients, and custom microbes for industrial applications. The company serves various end markets, including agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and specialty chemicals.
Ginkgo earns its revenue primarily from the following revenue sources:
- Foundry Revenue:
Includes revenue generated from providing research and development services, including licenses to Ginkgo’s intellectual property and commissions earned from products created using the company’s cell programming platform.
- Biosecurity Revenue:
Includes revenue generated from offering COVID-19 testing products and services for businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations.
The contributions from each of Ginkgo’s revenue segments for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 in their 2021 S-1 filing were as follows:
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
None of Ginkgo’s revenue comes from anything inherently haram.
Does Ginkgo rely on interest to operate?
| Year-to-Date for period ended 6/30/2021 | Fiscal year ended 12/31/2020 | Fiscal year ended 12/31/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Income | $220 | $2,582 | $5,756 |
| Total Revenue | $87,733 | $76,657 | $54,184 |
| Interest Expense | $1,173 | $2,385 | $2,421 |
| Total Expenses | $210,399 | $213,689 | $125,782 |
| Interest Income / Revenue | 0.25% | 3.37% | 10.62% |
| Interest Expense / Total Expense | 0.56% | 1.12% | 1.92% |
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
Riba is used but not currently relied upon in Ginkgo’s operation.
What is Ginkgo’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Impact?
Environment
No notable environmental highlights.
Social
ESG indices such as Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) exclude companies that develop genetically modified organisms for human consumption, placing genetic engineering as a significant ESG risk alongside weapons, tobacco products, and fossil fuels. PIF doesn’t see genetic engineering as inherently evil. If it helps produce healthy products more efficiently and abundantly then this is something we support. On the other hand, if science proves genetic engineering to be harmful to humans or the planet then we will change our stance. For now, we don’t think this has been proven.
Ginkgo has a Glassdoor rating of 4.5 out of 5 from over 50 current and previous employees compared to a 3.2 average for all other Glassdoor rated companies.
Governance
No notable governance highlights.
Practical Islamic Finance concludes:
Ginkgo Bioworks has a net positive ESG impact.
Comfort Rating
From Ginkgo’s business, financial, and ESG reviews, Practical Islamic Finance rates Ginkgo stock as:
Comfortable to invest in from a halal perspective.
Sources
Ginkgo Bioworks Securities Registration Statement S-1/A