*************************************************

The Government published in the Gazette today (May 25) the establishment of a human reproductive technology council to regulate the conduct of reproductive technology in accordance with the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance enacted by the Legislative Council in June last year.

The Council on Human Reproductive Technology is chaired by Dr Leong Chi-hung. It consists of 21 members from a wide cross-section of the community, such as medical and legal professions, social worker, theologist, scholar in philosophy or ethics, psychiatrists or psychologist, sociologist, and government representatives.

Welcoming the establishment of the council, Dr Leong said today (May 25) that with most members having served in the Provisional Council, efficiency and continuity of work could be ensured.

He stressed that the setting up of the council would provide a mechanism for on-going monitoring of various existing and future reproductive technology activities in Hong Kong for the benefit of all parties involved, in particular the welfare of the children born out of such technologies.

One of the major functions of the council is to vet applications for licence to carry out human reproductive technology activities, and to issue a Code of Practice to the involved personnels.

Dr Leong said, "I hope that the Government would expedite the legislative process for the corresponding and relevant regulations, so that the council can actually start our work without delay.

"Yet, even before then, we would finalize the Code of Practice as soon as possible for voluntary compliance. I am confident that those well-intended institutions will be more than willing to comply, even before it is made into law, for the benefit of the clients they serve.

"Human reproductive technology advances by leaps and bounds. Our council will react and install monitoring procedures promptly to cope with any new advances, as empowered by law," Dr Leong added.

The following is the membership list of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology :

Chairman

Dr Leong Che-hung

Deputy Chairperson

Mrs Minnie Lai Wei Kit-lin

Members

Professor Christopher Haines

Professor Ho Pak-chung

Dr William So Wai-ki

Dr Edward Loong Ping-leung

Mr Stephen Yau How-boa

Dr Athena Liu Nga-chee

Dr Archie Lee Chi-chung

Professor Gerhold Becker

Mrs Lau Yu Po-kwan

Ms Ambar Lam Wai-fong

Professor Rance Lee Pui-leung

Ms Cathy Lee Wai-yee

Mr David Wong Wah-shun

Mr Colin Chau Yu-nien

Mrs Winnie Poon Yam Wai-chun

Miss Nora Yau

Mr Eddie Poon, Principal Assistant Secretary for Health and Welfare

Dr Constance Chan, Assistant Director of Health

Miss Monica Chen, Assistant Director of Home Affairs

Mrs Justina Ho, Chief Social Work Officer (Family & Child Welfare), Social Welfare Department

End/Friday, May 25, 2001

NNNN