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Singapore Law Watch
11-07-2025
- Health
- Singapore Law Watch
Proposed new law protecting Singaporeans' genetic data to be strengthened: Ong Ye Kung
Proposed new law protecting Singaporeans' genetic data to be strengthened: Ong Ye Kung Source: Straits Times Article Date: 11 Jul 2025 Author: Judith Tan It will provide greater clarity on what such information can be used for: Health Minister Ong Ye Kung A proposed new law to protect genetic data collected from Singaporeans will be strengthened to provide greater clarity on what this hereditary information can or cannot be used for. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be conducting broad public consultations on the topic, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said. 'For healthcare to be delivered seamlessly across all settings, and especially in the community, a patient's data needs to be captured and shared among healthcare providers whom the patient sought care from,' he said. Doing so immediately raises concerns about cyber security, which MOH is addressing by strengthening the IT infrastructure, he added. The Health Minister was speaking at the ninth CHI Innovate 2025, NHG Health's flagship innovation conference, on July 10, held at the Ng Teng Fong Centre for Healthcare Innovation. Genetic screening for medical conditions of the public is already being carried out as part of a nationwide programme to enhance preventive care in Singapore. Starting June 30, eligible Singapore residents, for instance, have been able to be screened for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol levels, at a subsidised rate. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. To address the worries about data privacy, Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, said his ministry is coming up with a new law – the proposed Health Information Act. 'Under the Act, beyond various data protection measures, a patient can choose to restrict the sharing of his medical data among the healthcare providers that he sought care from,' he said. While this may not be an ideal arrangement and may undermine quality of care for the patient, making such a choice available addresses fears and instils confidence, he added. Mr Ong said that when genetic data is easily available, there will be public concerns on how the data is used and whether technology 'will inadvertently push us across societal and ethical lines'. 'MOH is therefore working on enhancing legislative protections on the use of genetic test information and will be conducting broad public consultation. 'The legislation will provide greater clarity on what genetic information can be used for, such as for medical treatment, and what it cannot be used for, such as in deciding employment and insurance (coverage),' he said. Mr Ong said that beyond addressing the fears and concerns arising from technology, everyone can be empowered to participate in innovation and leverage technology to do a better job. But as digital technology revolutionises human communications, it might have also rewired the minds of a generation, he warned. 'The evidence is still being debated, but ask any psychologist or counsellor and they will tell you stories of how smart devices, video games or social media addiction have inflicted pain on young minds,' he said. Mr Ong said while there is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a profound impact on society, healthcare institutions need to 'use it judiciously and deploy it thoughtfully'. In employing AI, NHG Health has signed a five-year master collaboration agreement with ST Engineering to co-develop and implement engineering and smart systems to further enhance patient care and optimise health service delivery. The group also signed a memorandum of understanding with Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics to focus on advanced research and innovation in surgical robotics systems. This alliance will identify future robotic-assisted surgery for a wider range of conditions treated at NHG Health hospitals and offer safer, less invasive and more affordable procedures to patients. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Proposed new law protecting Singaporeans' genetic data to be strengthened: Ong Ye Kung
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – A proposed new law to protect genetic data collected on Singaporeans will be strengthened to provide greater clarity on what this hereditary information can or cannot be used for. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be conducting broad public consultations on the topic, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said. 'For healthcare to be delivered seamlessly across all settings, and especially in the community, a patient's data needs to be captured and shared among healthcare providers whom he sought care from,' he said. Doing so immediately raises concerns about cyber security, which MOH is addressing by strengthening the legislative structure, he added. The Health Minister was speaking at the 9th CHI Innovate 2025, NHG Health's flagship innovation conference, on July 10, held at the Ng Teng Fong Centre for Healthcare Innovation. Genetic screening for medical conditions of the general public is already being carried out as part of a nationwide programme to enhance preventive care in Singapore. Starting June 30, eligible Singapore residents, for instance, can be screened for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) , a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol levels, at a subsidised rate. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma Singapore What's next for PSP following its post-GE leadership shake-up? Singapore NDP 2025: Diamond formations, 'multi-axis' fly-past to headline parade's aerial display Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore HDB flats less attainable in 2024 compared with 2022: Report Singapore Apex court upholds SMC's punishment of doctor who gave patients unlicensed hormones To address the worries about data privacy, Mr Ong, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, said his ministry is coming up with a new law – the proposed Health Information Act. 'Under the Act, beyond various data protection measures, a patient can choose to restrict the sharing of his medical data among the healthcare providers that he sought care from,' he said. While this may not be an ideal arrangement and may undermine quality of care for the patient, making such a choice available addresses fears and instils confidence, he added. Mr Ong said that when genetic data is easily available, there will be public concerns on how the data is used and whether technology 'will inadvertently push us across societal and ethical lines'. 'MOH is therefore working on enhancing legislative protections on the use of genetic test information and will be conducting broad public consultation. 'The legislation will provide greater clarity on what genetic information can be used for, such as for medical treatment, and what it cannot be used for, such as in deciding employment and insurance (coverage),' he said. Mr Ong said beyond addressing the fears and concerns arising from technology, everyone can be empowered to participate in innovation and leverage technology to do a better job. But he warned that as digital technology revolutionises human communications, it might have also rewired the minds of a generation. 'The evidence is still being debated, but ask any psychologist or counsellor, and they will tell you stories of how smart devices, video games or social media addiction have inflicted pain on young minds,' he said. Mr Ong said while there is no doubt artificial intelligence (AI) will have a profound impact on society , healthcare institutions need to 'use it judiciously and deploy it thoughtfully'. In employing AI, NHG Health has signed a five-year master collaboration agreement with ST Engineering to co-develop and implement engineering and smart systems to further enhance patient care and optimise health service delivery. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at a guided tour of an AI Showcase during the Centre for Health and Innovation (CHI) Innovate 2025 conference on July 10. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The group also signed a memorandum of understanding with Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics to focus on advanced research and innovation in surgical robotics systems. This alliance will identify future robotic-assisted surgery for a wider range of conditions treated at the hospitals under NHG Health and offer safer, less invasive and more affordable procedures to the patients.
Fashion Network
08-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Swiss watch exports decline amid US tariff uncertainty
Swiss watch sellers in Lucerne have endured a tough three months since U.S. President Donald Trump piled pressure on the luxury business with the threat of hefty tariffs, reducing interest from tourists who flock to the city in part to shop for watches. Reuters spoke with over a dozen industry workers in the watch-selling hub, including shop managers and salespeople, who said tariff uncertainty has weighed on a sector that exported watches worth 26 billion Swiss francs ($32.79 billion) in 2024. The business is already coping with weak Chinese demand, while in Switzerland, a franc supercharged by U.S. trade uncertainty has made the watches more expensive for foreign tourists. Switzerland, which relies heavily on trade, was stunned when Trump announced in April that he would impose a 31% tariff on the country, significantly higher than the 20% rate proposed for the European Union. "That obviously really put the brakes on," said Ken May, boutique manager at a Hublot store. Trump subsequently suspended the tariffs for 90 days, maintaining a 10% duty, and later extended his deadline until August 1. That sparked a rush by watchmakers to move their products to the U.S. ahead of the tariffs, causing Swiss exports to yo-yo up and down. The industry is on track to log its lowest export volumes for wristwatches since the pandemic in 2020, according to data from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). "We have to open other markets," Yves Bugmann, FH president, said. "We have to look for other opportunities." Unit exports were down nearly 5% in the January–May period year-over-year, though marginally up in value terms. This summer, there are noticeably fewer tourists packing Lucerne's main watch-selling street. Those who come are more careful with their money, salespeople said. Thousands of watches glint at shoppers in Lucerne's Grendelstrasse, which boasts stores from Rolex to Patek Philippe. Watches in these shops typically cost from several hundred francs to more than 500,000 francs. At Patek Philippe, which sells watches online for nearly 3.8 million francs, customers take an elevator to an upstairs boutique. Here, a watchmaker wearing a white lab coat delivers customized timepieces on a tray to clients. "Everything is just a bit slower than last year," said Michael Haas, boutique manager of a Breitling store in Lucerne. "We're in a luxury business, and as a rule, that's where people save first when the going gets tougher."
Fashion Network
08-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Swiss watch exports decline amid US tariff uncertainty
Swiss watch sellers in Lucerne have endured a tough three months since U.S. President Donald Trump piled pressure on the luxury business with the threat of hefty tariffs, reducing interest from tourists who flock to the city in part to shop for watches. Reuters spoke with over a dozen industry workers in the watch-selling hub, including shop managers and salespeople, who said tariff uncertainty has weighed on a sector that exported watches worth 26 billion Swiss francs ($32.79 billion) in 2024. The business is already coping with weak Chinese demand, while in Switzerland, a franc supercharged by U.S. trade uncertainty has made the watches more expensive for foreign tourists. Switzerland, which relies heavily on trade, was stunned when Trump announced in April that he would impose a 31% tariff on the country, significantly higher than the 20% rate proposed for the European Union. "That obviously really put the brakes on," said Ken May, boutique manager at a Hublot store. Trump subsequently suspended the tariffs for 90 days, maintaining a 10% duty, and later extended his deadline until August 1. That sparked a rush by watchmakers to move their products to the U.S. ahead of the tariffs, causing Swiss exports to yo-yo up and down. The industry is on track to log its lowest export volumes for wristwatches since the pandemic in 2020, according to data from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). "We have to open other markets," Yves Bugmann, FH president, said. "We have to look for other opportunities." Unit exports were down nearly 5% in the January–May period year-over-year, though marginally up in value terms. This summer, there are noticeably fewer tourists packing Lucerne's main watch-selling street. Those who come are more careful with their money, salespeople said. Thousands of watches glint at shoppers in Lucerne's Grendelstrasse, which boasts stores from Rolex to Patek Philippe. Watches in these shops typically cost from several hundred francs to more than 500,000 francs. At Patek Philippe, which sells watches online for nearly 3.8 million francs, customers take an elevator to an upstairs boutique. Here, a watchmaker wearing a white lab coat delivers customized timepieces on a tray to clients. "Everything is just a bit slower than last year," said Michael Haas, boutique manager of a Breitling store in Lucerne. "We're in a luxury business, and as a rule, that's where people save first when the going gets tougher."
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Swiss watch sales decline amid US tariff pressures
A logo of watchmaker Rolex adorns a building on Grendel Street during a rainy day at Schwanenplatz in Lucerne, Switzerland (via: Reuters) Swiss watch sellers in Lucerne have endured a tough three months since US President Donald Trump piled pressure on the luxury business with the threat of hefty tariffs, reducing interest from tourists who flock to the city in part to shop for watches. Reuters spoke with over a dozen industry workers in the watch-selling hub, including shop managers and salespeople, who said tariff uncertainty has weighed on a sector that exported watches worth 26 billion Swiss francs ($32.79 billion) in 2024. The business is already coping with weak Chinese demand, while in Switzerland, a franc supercharged by US trade uncertainty has made the watches more expensive for foreign tourists. Switzerland, which relies heavily on trade, was stunned when Trump said in April he would hit the country with a 31% tariff, well above the 20% rate proposed for the European Union. "That put the brakes on," said Ken May, boutique manager at a Hublot store. Trump subsequently suspended the tariffs for 90 days, maintaining a 10% duty, and later extended his deadline until August 1. That sparked a rush by watchmakers to move their products to the US ahead of the tariffs, causing Swiss exports to yo-yo up and down. The industry is on track to log its lowest export volumes for wristwatches since the pandemic in 2020, according to data from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). "We have to open other markets," Yves Bugmann, FH president, said. "We have to look for other opportunities." Unit exports were down nearly 5% in the January-May period year-over-year, though marginally up in value terms. This summer, there are noticeably fewer tourists packing Lucerne's main watch-selling street. Those who come are more careful with their money, salespeople said. Thousands of watches glint at shoppers in Lucerne's Grendelstrasse, which boasts stores from Rolex to Patek Philippe. Watches in these shops typically cost from several hundred francs to more than 500,000 francs. At Patek Philippe, which sells watches online for nearly 3.8 million francs, customers take an elevator to an upstairs boutique. Here, a watchmaker wearing a white lab coat delivers customised timepieces on a tray to clients. "Everything is just a bit slower than last year," said Michael Haas, boutique manager of a Breitling store in Lucerne. "We're in a luxury business, and as a rule, that's where people save first when the going gets tougher."
