OPENING ADDRESS BY DR JANIL PUTHUCHEARY, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BIOETHICS EXHIBITION, SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE, 29 AUGUST 2024

Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng

Chief Executive, Science Centre Board,

Emeritus Professor Lee Eng Hin

Chair, Bioethics Advisory Committee,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good morning, it is my pleasure to join you today at the launch of a new bioethics exhibition titled “We Could, But Should We?”, developed by the Bioethics Advisory Committee and the Science Centre Board.

Importance of Bioethics

2. This exhibition invites us to reflect on the ethical dimensions of biomedical research and technologies and their implications on our society. As science and technology progress, moral and ethical dilemmas arising from human biomedical research, clinical and healthcare practices become increasingly complex. Bioethics must remain the cornerstone as we explore the use of new technologies and conduct groundbreaking research.

3. Singapore has a robust bioethics governance framework in place to guide this. The Bioethics Advisory Committee, or BAC, was established by the Cabinet in 2000 to advise the government on ethical issues and develop policy recommendations to guide researchers, academics, healthcare professionals, Clinical Ethics Committees, and Institutional Review Boards on appropriate ethical standards. The BAC has done excellent work over the past two and half decades to ensure the safeguarding of individual autonomy and rights, promoting fairness and transparency, improving public trust and enabling us to make decisions that not only advance scientific knowledge, but also uphold our shared values and social responsibilities.

Bioethics Exhibition at SCS - We Could, But Should We?

4. This exhibition is a continuation of that work. The exhibition title encapsulates the essence of bioethics by challenging us to not only consider the possibilities of scientific advancements – We Could, but also to deliberate on the ethical and moral implications of their applications – But Should We.

5. The exhibition comprises four dioramas that explore emerging topics which I think will be interesting to many – the use of AI in healthcare, gene editing technologies, brain organoids for neurological research, and biological self-experimentations to enhance health and performance. Each diorama has some interactive components where visitors can listen to audio conversations on the ethical topics and try out real-time perception surveys to gauge their understanding of the issue and their ethical implications.

6. The diorama on AI for example, illustrates how AI is integrated into healthcare, such as in the use of autonomous surgical robots. This is already being done today in our hospitals. The exhibit asks the visitor to consider further not just the technological advancement but the ethical concerns and trade-offs for example, How do we ensure that AI does not make decisions that go against human values? How does AI consider aspects like human dignity and quality of life?

Ethical Use of AI

7. New AI technologies have not only transformed the way we live and work, but are also revolutionising the healthcare industry. Many of us are familiar with Generative AI applications like ChatGPT and Gemini and Cloud technologies that are applied in healthcare fields such as mobile apps, patient portals and electronic medical records. These technologies are used in enhancing clinical processes and aiding of treatment decisions. Beyond AI robotic surgeries, AI algorithms are already commonly used in diagnostic radiology such as X-rays and CT scans to aid in diagnosis and early detection of diseases, and the use cases are increasing.

8. New technologies have led to improved health outcomes, but they also come with significant ethical challenges and risks. Using AI in clinical operations and healthcare decisions means that we must urgently address ethical issues like transparency, bias, and privacy. AI developers must ensure that AI algorithms are transparent, regularly validated, and free from bias. Clinicians must ensure that patient data privacy and confidentiality are maintained, and the training of the AI adheres to a clear ethical framework and robust data security measures. 

9. The BAC has conducted an extensive review on the use of big data and AI in biomedical research, examining ethical issues on autonomy, transparency, accountability, reliability, privacy and security. The advisory report on this will be published by end 2024 and we hope that it will serve as a good guide for academics, researchers and clinicians.

Bioethics for the public

10. Beyond this exhibition, we hope to sustain interest in what is an increasingly critical area for public discourse. A Bioethics Corner was established at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library by the BAC in collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB) in 2022 to help in improving bioethics literacy and awareness. The NLB collection comprises more than 150 publications related to bioethics as well as a curated digital collection on NLB’s e-book platform. Topics covered run from big data and AI, to organ trade and gene modification. I encourage everyone to visit this corner as well.

11. Besides these efforts, the BAC also engages the public through panel programmes held at the NLB on emerging bioethical topics on Big Data and AI and gene editing. This encourages public discourse on the ethical issues and challenges in these areas. There will be an upcoming panel programme on ‘Genetic and Genomic Testing and Research’ held at NLB in end September, which I strongly encourage you to participate in. We are also exploring ways to enhance bioethics literacy among the younger generation, including organising more talks, seminars, and programmes at academic institutions and engaging students through the Ministry of Education. These initiatives not only promote critical thinking but also nurture an ethical awareness, equipping us to navigate the complex bioethical landscape that lies ahead.

The Future of Bioethics

12. In the future, as science and technology continue to advance, the role of bioethics is even more crucial in ensuring that emerging healthcare technologies and innovations are used responsibly. Singapore is well-positioned to lead the global discourse in bioethics, and the roadmap to training and building ethics capability among healthcare professionals will be foremost in supporting us to do this.

13. The MOH has developed an ethics capability training roadmap for healthcare professionals, with the Healthcare Ethics Capability Committee established to oversee its implementation. The NUS Centre for Biomedical Ethics plays a pivotal role by training healthcare professionals and ethics committees, ensuring that clinical practices are conducted with the highest ethical standards. These concerted efforts will continue to build ethics capability among healthcare professionals and shape the future of bioethics in Singapore.

Closing

14. In closing, I would like to commend the BAC and the SCB for organising this thought-provoking exhibition. Their combined efforts have been instrumental in promoting public awareness and understanding of bioethics. It is through initiatives like this that we can foster a culture of ethical awareness and continuous dialogue.

15. I hope that the exhibition will help spark an interest in bioethics, particularly among our youth, and encourage conversation on the inherent tensions and dilemmas in science and technology. Your awareness and participation are vital in shaping a future where biomedical advancements are guided by a strong ethical compass. I urge everyone here today to take an active interest in bioethics, to visit the exhibition, think critically about the choices we make, and to engage on the broader implications. It is not enough for these discussions to be confined to scientists and policymakers. We must all be informed and engaged, as these issues affect all of society.

Thank you.