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Chu et al. J Transl Genet Genom 2022;6:290-303 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/jtgg.2022.02 Page 294

For historical reasons, Clinical Genetic Services of the Department of Health provides the majority of public
diagnostic and counselling services to families with inherited genetic disorders. These services include
diagnosis of genetic disorders, genetic screening, genetic counselling, and genetic testing in relation to
disease management. Post-test clinical management and periodic screening have usually been taken up by
Hospital Authority via its public hospitals’ infrastructure. Local academic researchers and scientists, usually
with a job-induced passion, opportunities, and research/charitable fundings, have attained internationally
recognised achievements in genomic research. As mentioned above, the majority of the patients access
genetic services provided by the Department of Health or Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. Since only
essential investigations are covered, advanced genomic tests such as genome sequencing are either sent to
[12]
overseas clinical laboratories with patient bearing the full cost or done in a research setting .

Despite the hard work and contributions by various parties, the medical-academic-scientific fields in Hong
Kong have identified enduring issues with the above set-up and workflow. The genomic services provided
by the two medical schools are often research-based and lack the capacities to be used as routine clinical
services. The Government acknowledged in the policy address of 2017 that there was an urgent need to
explore a more standardised and better co-ordinated clinical pathway, invest in the training and nurturing
of related professionals, and improve the overall management of genetic and genomic services in Hong
Kong. A Steering Committee was thus formed to review the landscape of genetics and genomics in Hong
Kong and map out the strategies for developing genomic medicine.

Steering committee recommendations
After reviewing the experiences of other national sequencing projects and deliberating the local
environment, the Steering Committee published its report and proposed the eight recommendations to
[12]
promote local development and integration of genomics into our healthcare system .
1. Launching the HKGP

2. Enhancing clinical services in genetics and genomics

3. Nurturing talents in genomic medicine

4. Enhancing public engagement in genomic medicine

5. Enhancing the laboratory network with effective referral mechanism and centralisation of advanced
genetic and genomic tests

6. Facilitating the establishment of a biobank network for genomic research

7. Enhancing the regulation on use of genetic data for insurance and employment purposes

8. Promoting the proper use of genetic and genomic tests

THE LAUNCH OF HONG KONG GENOME PROJECT: PILOT PHASE
Based on the recommendations from the Steering Committee, the Government set up the Hong Kong
Genome Institute (HKGI), a company wholly owned by the Government, to implement the HKGP in
partnership with the Food and Health Bureau, Department of Health, Hospital Authority, and local