Club Lunch: Ethics Issues in Gene-Editing

Scientific advances in molecular biology over the past 50 years have led to remarkable medical progress. Some of these advances also have raised important ethical and societal issues – for example, gene editing. The world’s first gene-edited babies created by Chinese scientist He Jiankui have provoked debate and concerns about bioethics. What can we learn from the issue and what will be the future of gene-editing?

Dr. Au has served in the public health care system for more than three decades. He worked as director of quality and safety before his retirement from the Hospital Authority. He has been focused in the areas of clinical ethics and bioethics. Since joining the CUHK Centre for Bioethics, Dr. Au has sought to improve public understanding of bioethical issues, as well as developing research projects and engaging in dialogue with organisations worldwide.