The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services visited the Hong Kong Genome Institute (HKGI) in the Hong Kong Science Park today (May 2) to learn about the latest development of the Hong Kong Genome Project (HKGP).
Members received a briefing on the HKGP by the HKGI's Chairperson, Mr Philip Tsai; the Deputy Chairperson, Professor Raymond Liang; the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lo Su-vui, and the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Dr Brian Chung. The HKGP is the first large-scale genome sequencing project in Hong Kong. Since its full operation in 2021, the HKGI has been collaborating with the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and medical schools of universities, to help patients and their families, who join the project on a voluntary basis, look for the potential disease-causing genetic variants through whole genome sequencing analysis. They said that the HKGP aimed to establish a genome database of the local population, testing infrastructure and talent pool with a view to accelerating the development of genomic medicine and addressing the healthcare needs of Hong Kong in the long run. Members then exchanged views with the management team of the HKGI on the HKGP and the development of genomic medicine.
Members then toured the Genomic Laboratory. It is the first laboratory in Hong Kong that offers end-to-end whole genome sequencing services and equipped with advanced instruments for performing sequencing services, analysis and research.
Members who participated in the visit were the Panel Chairman Ms Chan Hoi-yan, the Deputy Chairman, Dr David Lam and Panel members Mr Chan Kin-por, Ms Lam So-wai, Mr Edward Leung, Mr Chan Pui-leung and Professor Chan Wing-kwong.
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