With advice from The Hastings Center, Chinese University of Hong Kong launched the Centre for Bioethics, the first bioethics center in Hong Kong housed at a major medical school. The launch was marked by a conference on January 9 and 10, “Ethical Dimensions of Policy for Ageing and Genetics,” which was co-sponsored by The Hastings Center and featured four of its research scholars. 

For the past year, Hastings Center scholars Michael Gusmano and Nancy Berlinger have worked with Chinese University of Hong Kong to develop its bioethics center, helping to establish best practices in its mission, education, and other areas. Gusmano was co-organizer of the launch conference, as well as a speaker and moderator on several panels

The conference examined ethical issues facing health care for older people in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, at a time when genetic research is producing new options for clinical diagnosis and care. These options are also raising new dilemmas of resource allocation, intergenerational justice, and social consensus.