The Centre for Bioethics (the Centre) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been commemorating its 10^th anniversary with a celebratory symposium and a series of events since 21 February 2025. The symposium, themed “Science, Medicine, and Beyond: Connecting the Global Communities with Bioethics”, brought together prominent scholars in the fields of bioethics, law and health policy from across the world, as well as health professionals and students. This 10-year milestone underscores the Centre’s deep dedication to fostering dialogue on pressing bioethical issues,  advancing global health ethics, and making invaluable contributions to bioethical education.

A group photo with speakers and guests: Dr Edgar Cheng Wai-kin, Benefactor and Special Advisor of the CUHK Centre for Bioethics (6^th right); Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean ofCU Medicine (6^th left); Professor Roger Chung Yat-nork (4^th right) and Dr Ann Lau Sin-nga (1^st right), Co-Directors of the CUHK Centre for Bioethics; and speakers of the symposium including Mr David Roscoe (5^th right), Professor Nancy Jecker (3^rd right), Professor Vardit Ravitsky (2^nd right), and Professor Bonnie Steinbock (4^th left). 

The Centre, established in 2015, is dedicated to promoting ethical discourse in science and medicine. Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean ofthe Faculty of Medicine at CUHK (CU Medicine), said: “Reflecting upon the theme of the celebratory symposium, I am reminded of the power of collaboration – across borders, disciplines and communities – to advance medicine while upholding the moral, social and cultural values that ultimately shape patient care. This symposium exemplifies the spirit of global engagement in addressing the moral and social dilemmas that emerge from scientific breakthroughs. Science, medicine and technology can not only serve humanity’s needs but do so in ways that honour patient autonomy, dignity and social justice.” 

Dr Edgar Cheng Wai-kin, Benefactor and Special Advisor of the CUHK Centre for Bioethics.

Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of CU Medicine delivers a welcome address at the symposium.

Balancing AI with core human values is essential to tackle pressing global bioethical challenges

The event opened with a welcome address from Professor Fok Tai-fai, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Centre, followed by an opening ceremony with guests displaying wooden blocks representing six virtues – compassion, humility, respect, integrity, justice and tolerance– on either sides of a balance scale. This symbolised the important role of bioethics in determining and interrogating the harmonious balance of virtues and values that guide professional behaviour, medical practice and scientific advancement.

Mr David Roscoe, Chair of the Advisory Council and Board Chair Emeritus of The Hastings Center, USA explored the ethical considerations surrounding the integration of AI (artificial intelligence) into healthcare. While being optimistic about its potential applications, he noted: “We need to keep an eye on AGI (artificial general intelligence). The ideal solution would be global but if we wait for global solutions, we will have no solutions. The practical and realistic answer is to begin with regional and local frameworks and then work hard to find a global solution.”

Professor Nancy Jecker, a famed bioethicist from the University of Washington, emphasised the importance of engaging non-Western bioethics and the relevance of Confucian philosophy to contemporary global bioethics discourse.She remarked: “ Diverse bioethics traditions also continue to stand apart, with principles and frameworks emanating from the West, especially the United States, often predominating. We need to convey mutual respect by being curious and open to learning, and convey epistemic justice by including diverse bioethics voices in our conferences, publishing, funding and training programmes.”

Mr David Roscoe, Chair of the Advisory Council & Board Chair Emeritus of The Hastings Center, USA delivers a leadership address on “AI and Better Health: Challenges to Trust and Governance”.

Professor Nancy Jecker, Visiting Professor of the CUHK Centre for Bioethics; and Professor of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine delivers a keynote address on “Lessons from Li: A Confucian Inspired Approach to Global Bioethics”.

Addressing the bioethical implications of prenatal testing

The distinguished lecture presented by Professor Vardit Ravitsky, President and CEO of the world-renowned The Hastings Center, USA, provided insights into the ethical complexities of advancements in prenatal screening and reproductive health. She stated: “We must ensure that women are offered NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) and feel free to decline it, preserving their reproductive autonomy. Public funding for genetic testing should focus on providing good information that enhances the capacity for decision-making, not be seen as a one-way street towards pregnancy termination.”

A discussion on physician-assisted dying

The afternoon session featured the 7^th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics, delivered by Professor Bonnie Steinbock, Professor Emerita of Philosophy at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Critical perspectives were offered by expert commentators including Mr Justice Johnson MH Lam, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong; Dr Derrick Au, former Director of the Centre; and Professor Paul Weithman, a renowned philosopher from the University of Notre Dame.

Professor Steinbock defined physician-assisted dying (PAD) as a voluntary and intentional choice to receive medical assistance in causing or hastening death by doctors: “A common objection against legalising PAD is a slippery slope argument that maintains that even if PAD is justified for terminally ill patients, it will inevitably end up being expanded to unjustifiable uses. The fundamental problem with this objection is that it assumes, without explanation, that changes in eligibility are necessarily unjustifiable. Some of the original restrictions, such as the terminal illness criteria and the complete rejection of euthanasia, are not justified. However, the expansion of PAD to individuals with severe depression and other severe psychiatric conditions raises serious questions about decision-making capacity that must be resolved before making it legal.”

ProfessorVardit Ravitsky, President and CEO of The Hastings Center, USA, gives a distinguished lecture on “Current and Emerging Prenatal Testing Technologies: Bioethical Implications”.

ProfessorBonnie Steinbock, Professor Emerita of Philosophy at the University at Albany, State University of New York, delivers the 7^th Lanson Lecture in Bioethics titled “Physician-Assisted Dying: A Slippery Slope?”

A decade of advancing bioethics education and research

Reflecting on the Centre’s decade-long journey, Professor Roger ChungYat-norkand Dr Ann Lau Sin-nga, Co-Directors of the Centre, expressed their gratitude to the global community of scholars, policymakers and practitioners who have contributed to its growth. They also shared the Centre’s development roadmap for embarking on its vision. The Centre remains committed to its mission of promoting bioethical awareness and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Professor Chung said: “The role of bioethics, as I see it, is to ensure that our humanity is never lost amid these technological wonders. It is about connecting our scientific advances with the values that define us as humans. Our Centre has played a crucial role in nurturing this type of reflection and, as we look towards the future, I am confident that we will continue to guide our global community through these complex but essential conversations.”

Dr Lau added: “The past decade has been a journey – one where we have seen how bioethics, as a discipline, can contribute not only to medical education and practice but also to public discourse on what it means to care for one another. The Centre has been committed to promoting inclusive dialogue, bringing together diverse voices to discuss and address the ethical challenges we face today. As we look to the future, we have many plans to further our mission, ensuring that ethical reflection is not just an academic exercise but a living practice – one that influences policy, informs clinical practice and ultimately improves the well-being of individuals and communities.”