Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor reiterated the special administrative region government's commitment to innovation and technology development and nurturing talents in Hong Kong in her speech at the opening ceremony of the second International Summit on Human Genome Editing (HGE) on Tuesday. She also noted that biomedicine is one of the main focuses for research institutions in Hong Kong. This is one of the reasons why the city attaches great importance to hosting the HGE summit this year. It will open a window for Hong Kong on the latest development in HGE research and all matters concerning its development within the confines of relevant laws.

Hong Kong is determined to become a center of inno-tech development not only in the country but also the world in the years to come. To do so, the SAR government has earmarked HK$78 billion or $10 billion according to the first two Policy Addresses of Carrie Lam, who took office in July last year. Apart from funding inno-tech developments, the SAR government also plans to introduce policy measures designed to improve Hong Kong's ability to nurture local talents and engaging talents from around the world as well. In terms of developing biomedicine the city definitely enjoys some advantages other cities may not have, such as support from the central government as well as the SAR government and supply of precious data for pinpoint research.

On top of funding, information and policy support, Hong Kong is particularly proud of its effective rule of law, which is crucial to the healthy development and success of the inno-tech sector. As far as biomedicine is concerned, its development would be crippled from the start without a mature legal system to ensure effective protection of related personal information, privacy, strict compliance to all ethical standards, requirements as prescribed in relevant laws and technical regulations. Since HGE-related legislation is a work in progress around the world, Hong Kong must prove it is capable of setting an excellent example in this respect. Given its experience in maintaining rule of law, Hong Kong has every reason to do just as well as the best of them elsewhere.

Speaking of the law, the International Summit on Human Genome Editing is a good opportunity for the SAR government as well as Hong Kong's academic community to tap into the minds of those attending the academic gathering over the establishment of legal boundaries as well as effective supervision and regulation on biomedical research and development to facilitate our own efforts in related legislation and law enforcement in future.

(HK Edition 11/28/2018 page7)