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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Experts call for legal agility to tackle influx of drug-laced vapes in Singapore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Current laws need to keep up with the technology used to deliver synthetic drugs, said one expert. SINGAPORE – Medical experts have called for legal agility to tackle vaping, which they say has evolved into a harmful and dangerous scourge with more drug-laced e-vaporisers detected. Their comments come in the wake of an announcement on July 12 by the Government, which signalled the possibility of tougher enforcement laws to tackle vaping amid a spike in seizures of e-vaporisers laced with the anaesthetic etomidate. Mr Yip Hon Weng, MP for Yio Chu Kang SMC, who agreed that enforcement laws need to be enhanced, noted that Singapore already has some of the world's toughest drug laws. 'But as the landscape evolves, so must our legal tools. 'There is perhaps scope to go further – for example, by explicitly including combo drug-vape products under the Poisons Act, and granting the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) clearer jurisdiction the moment drug traces are detected,' he said. There have been similar legal updates in the past, Mr Yip said, adding that when Subutex and glue sniffing became threats, the law evolved to empower CNB with the tools to respond. The same legislative approach can and should apply to drug-laced vapes, he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons 'Our laws should empower swift updates to controlled substance lists – not wait for the next tragedy to force a response,' added Mr Yip. Singapore's laws around synthetic drugs, or new psychoactive substances (NPS), were amended in June 2024 to regulate them based on their effects rather than specific chemical structures. Further amendments came into effect in 2025 to tackle new compounds that continue to be detected each year. Professor Teo Yik-Ying, dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said current laws need to also keep up with the technology used to deliver synthetic drugs. 'Our narcotics laws need to be updated to capture some of these new changes in technology, where the delivery system now is using e-cigarettes and vapes,' he said. 'So, effectively, if I am a police officer and I catch someone with a vape, and I detect that the vape cartridge is actually a Kpod... the person is not just caught for vaping, but also caught for possession of narcotics. 'Suddenly... you will realise that the penalty increases so significantly that people now have a fear of just taking Kpods.' Although vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, the Health Sciences Authority still seized more than $41 million worth of e-vaporisers and their related components between January 2024 and March 2025. This is a significant spike from the $95,460 worth of seizures across 2019. In the first nine months of 2024, about 9,680 people were caught using or possessing vapes. This is more than the 7,838 people caught in the whole of 2023. Assistant Professor Yvette van der Eijk from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health said that what has encouraged the spread is the marketing of vaping products from other countries. 'If an influencer from, say, Indonesia promotes vaping products, that content can still reach young Singaporeans. 'Also, for a policy to be effective, it must be properly enforced, and people must be aware of its rationale so that they accept the policy. Stronger enforcement in the community and more education would be helpful,' said Prof van der Eijk. Starting young While some have argued for regulating vaping rather than an outright ban, recent studies in Britain have shown that regulations do little to limit access to e-vaporisers, including those laced with drugs. In Britain, vaping is legal for those above the age of 18, although disposable vapes have been banned across all age groups since June 1, 2025, to address environmental concerns and to protect young people from nicotine addiction. Professor Christopher Pudney from the University of Bath in Britain said his research showed that vapers there start young, between the ages of 13 and 16. 'Around the middle of 2023, we started to see a lot of media reports in the UK of children collapsing in schools, associated with vaping,' Prof Pudney told ST. 'So, we just tracked those media reports. And it got to the point where there was almost one report every week of a child collapsing in school, which is obviously insane.' His studies also showed that schoolchildren may be unknowingly smoking vapes spiked with synthetic cannabis, also known as Spice. The researchers in his team found that out of 596 vapes confiscated across 38 schools in England, one in six contained Spice. Prof Pudney, a biotechnology expert, said tests his team conducted have also picked up traces of heroin, MDMA (commonly found in Ecstasy) and ketamine in seized vaporisers. He used the world's first portable device, which is able to detect synthetic drugs in vapes in 30 seconds, to trace the chemicals. Despite these advancements, Prof Pudney said that when a drug in e-vaporisers is detected by the authorities there and made illegal, organised crime groups would subtly change the drug composition and flood the market with the new product. Mr Yip said he is aware that CNB and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are already building up rapid-testing and toxicology capabilities to detect novel substances in vape liquids. Etomidate is known to cause a type of muscle spasm called myoclonus, which patients may describe as tremors, said Dr Clare Anne Fong, associate consultant at the Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital. It can also result in difficulties in processing thoughts and altered sensory experiences, such as numbness and tremors, she added. A person should seek medical attention when he displays such symptoms. 'As the dosing is unpredictable, there is a risk of sudden unconsciousness and respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening,' said Dr Fong. 'Coughing out of blood is also dangerous as it can result in breathing difficulties and low oxygen levels, especially if the volume of blood is large.' Dr Sharen Tian, a family physician at Raffles Medical Group, said that when etomidate is misused via vapes, it can induce euphoria and dissociation, leading to psychological dependence. 'Abusing etomidate through vaping can lead to severe health complications,' she told ST. 'The identified adverse effects include nausea, muscle spasms, respiratory depression, seizures and psychosis.' Initially, adult smokers seeking alternatives were the primary users of e-vaporisers, said Dr Tian. However, recent data indicates a surge in adolescent usage, with cases involving individuals as young as 13 years old. Mr Yip said that current standard hospital tests may not always pick up new synthetic substances unless they are specifically looking for them. Parents should therefore not take a 'clean' test result at face value if their child is showing worrying signs: confusion, seizures, erratic or zombie-like behaviour. 'One way is to insist on a comprehensive toxicology screen, and alert medical professionals to the possibility of vaping-related drug intake,' he said. Mr Yip added that accident and emergency staff, clinicians at the Institute of Mental Health, school counsellors and general practitioners should also be updated regularly on new trends in drug-laced vapes, so they can respond appropriately. 'Most importantly, talk to your children. These are no longer 'just vapes'. They are chemical cocktails disguised in sleek devices – or as I call them, 'vapes with a twist of terror',' he said. Border checks Breaking the wave of e-vaporisers and Kpods requires sharper and more coordinated enforcement, from stepping up checks at the borders to tightening screening at parcel processing centres, said Mr Yip. He added that it is critical to track deliveries and follow the trail to arrest not just buyers, but also the local distributors and peddlers. Singapore Customs and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority already do this with cigarette smuggling syndicates, framing the issue as an obligation to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. 'The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore,' the agencies had said previously. Mr Yip said enforcement efforts must also go digital. 'We should leverage AI-powered surveillance to scan darknet markets, Telegram groups and smuggling forums, where new trends often appear first,' he added. While acknowledging that the authorities are already collaborating across agencies and also working with regional counterparts, Mr Yip said this must be scaled up further. Beyond enforcement, public awareness matters, he said, noting that many people still do not know how to report such offences. Mr Yip added: 'Today, reporting to HSA relies on a weekday office line (it is on their website). A suggestion would be for 24/7 hotlines, online reporting or even integration with the OneService app. 'We also need to reach young people where it matters – on the platforms where syndicates target them, like Telegram and social media. 'Community education, peer-led interventions and even celebrity-driven cautionary campaigns could help shift perceptions.' Mr Yip said that as a father of five young children, he has got 'skin in the game'. 'This is more than just a policy challenge – it is a growing threat in schools, community and online spaces. 'The recent case involving teenagers reportedly behaving erratically after inhaling drug-laced Kpods outside a Punggol mall is not just worrying – it is a red flag. 'These devices are not only illegal, but they are also dangerous and designed to avoid detection,' he added.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Improve overall commuter experience at Tuas Checkpoint
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I was at Tuas Checkpoint recently. The bus bay assignment display was not functioning that day, creating confusion among commuters and tourists, who were left running from bay to bay to locate their buses. I am not sure how often this issue occurs, but I've noticed that, even when the display is working, the waiting area around the bus bays is chaotic. The drop-off area for buses has only two lanes, and this contributes to severe congestion and long queues, especially during peak hours. Such inefficiencies at one of Singapore's key land entry points are disheartening. Several tourists I spoke with expressed their disappointment, with some even commenting that the experience resembled that found in a developing country. The difference is especially striking when compared with the efficiency and organisation of border checkpoints such as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen connection. As a Singaporean, it is troubling to see our country's image impacted by poor infrastructure and poor crowd management at such an important gateway. I hope the authorities will improve the operations, facilities and overall commuter experience at Tuas Checkpoint. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Ng Sung Nang
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: End of free test kit distribution can hurt fight against cancer here
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox C olorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Singaporeans aged 50 and above, particularly when not detected early. For years, the Singapore Cancer Society, with government support, has played a vital role in raising public awareness and encouraging early screening through its outreach campaigns. One of its most impactful efforts was the community distribution of free faecal immunochemical test kits – a simple yet effective tool to detect hidden blood in stools, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. As someone who regularly responded to these screening initiatives, I am grateful for this public health effort. It has helped to normalise the conversation around cancer screening and enabled early detection for many Singaporeans, especially those who would otherwise not have sought screening on their own. However, I was surprised and disheartened to learn recently that the Singapore Cancer Society has stopped distributing these kits, which now have to be collected through Healthier SG healthcare providers, where doctor consultation and screening test fees may apply. Given the ageing population in Singapore and the proven effectiveness of early screening, this shift feels like a step backwards in our nation's fight against cancer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Ho Kheng Tiong
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: Why continual enhancements are important for Singapore football
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox We thank Mr Henry Choong Kun Lin for sharing his thoughts on changes to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and SPL2 ( New plans by FAS welcome, but more thought needed to improve league , July 7). It is heartening to see Singaporeans so invested in our football, and we appreciate his feedback. We would like to clarify the intentions behind two key enhancements: the foreign player quota increase and the introduction of the SPL2 reserve league. The SPL is the national team's key source of players. Improving the competition and daily training environment is a priority – and foreign players can help this. Even established football nations with significantly more local talent have a high percentage of foreign players in domestic leagues. Our players must have the determination to fight for their position daily – that process will help mould them into the type of footballers who will better serve our national cause. The SPL2 widens the funnel of talent into the SPL and national age-group squads, and provides opportunities to spot potential national players among those who do not feature regularly in SPL matches. The SPL2 has regulations that will see at least six Singaporeans – including four under-23 players – on the field at all times. Unlike its predecessor, the U21-league, the SPL2 has no age restrictions on local or foreign players, creating a more competitive and realistic match environment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons This ensures that younger players are exposed to the kind of intensity needed to make the jump to top-tier football. Thus, SPL2 not only preserves development opportunities, but also strengthens them. We acknowledge concerns around frequent format changes. As Singapore football is very much in a developmental phase, it is necessary to implement changes, observe, and continually make enhancements. Moreover, as Asian football standards are constantly improving with regular tweaks to development and recruitment systems, we must ensure that our system is agile. The Football Association of Singapore will study the writer's promotion-relegation idea in the future. With more teams and leagues, we need to be mindful of resource and quality dilution. Singapore football's progress will always be built on shared aspirations among players, coaches, clubs, administrators and fans. We thank the writer for his support and passion, and look forward to an exciting and competitive SPL season ahead. Chew Chun-Liang General Secretary Football Association of Singapore
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Science
- Straits Times
Cryo-conservation: How animal cells in cold storage can help with wildlife protection in S'pore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A researcher from Mandai Wildlife Group holding up a tray of cultured cells extracted from a cold-blooded animal. SINGAPORE - Singapore is building a 'Noah's Ark' of South-east Asian animals, and its collection – housed at two locations here – is slowly swelling with the region's mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. These repositories of life at the NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Mandai Wildlife Reserve contain just traces of these animals. Their cells and tissues, stored at sub-zero temperatures, can help researchers better understand these species, contributing to their conservation. Special cooling technologies used by Mandai Wildlife Group, which manages Singapore's five wildlife parks, can even keep these cells alive. When such cells are thawed, they can continue to grow and replicate. This paves the way for novel applications of technology like in-vitro fertilisation. Far into the future, researchers could potentially use this to bring extinct animals back to life, although there are no plans to do so for now. In January, Mandai Nature – the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group – achieved a breakthrough: Researchers there successfully banked the live cells of 10 species of birds. These include the critically endangered Bali myna, and endangered lilac-crowned amazon and milky stork. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Previously, only live mammalian cells were effectively banked in the Republic's wildlife parks. Dr Sonja Luz, chief executive of Mandai Nature, said this marks the latest addition to Singapore's conservation toolkit. By shelving away the cells of threatened species, the odds of saving them in the future – should their natural population continue to dwindle – may significantly improve, she said. The promise of biobanking Biobanking is the storage and preservation of biological material from animals, plants and other forms of living matter. It is most often done through cryopreservation, where samples are kept frozen at sub-zero temperatures. One of the earliest biobanks opened during the American Civil War in 1862, in Washington's Army Medical Museum. Back then, the biobank – which mostly held the amputated limbs and diseased organs of humans – was used to expand the understanding of disease and war injuries, and develop measures to better care for American soldiers. Biobanking gained traction internationally in the late 1990s with the advent of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories, the world's first global biobanking society. In the last few decades, there has been an exponential rise in the burden of chronic diseases. Biobanking allowed researchers to keep records of the changes in genes and proteins affiliated with different conditions. As biobanking technology became cheaper and more accessible, the scientific community started to recognise the potential for applying it outside of the medical realm. Conservationists, in particular, started to take notice. With a third of the planet's flora and fauna being threatened by extinction, these repositories serve as valuable homes for the tissue and genetic material of endangered species. Singapore got its first conservation biobank in 2009. The result of a collaboration between the National University of Singapore and Mandai Wildlife Group, then known as Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the biobank focused on storing dead cells and tissues for research. The biobank at NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum houses approximately 33,400 samples of animals cells and tissue. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Today, that biobank is helmed by the university's Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. It houses approximately 33,400 samples from invertebrates like molluscs, and vertebrates such as mammals and birds. Currently, its samples span 3,283 species. Mr Marcus Chua, the museum's mammal curator, said its mammalian specimens are mainly sourced from animal carcasses, such as roadkill. Some faecal samples – including those of the critically endangered Raffles' banded langur, a type of primate – are also stored, said Mr Foo Maosheng, who oversees the museum's insect and cryogenic collections. The samples are used mainly for research. 'If we're trying to find out what the Raffles' banded langurs are eating, for example, we can compare their faecal samples to the genetic material of different plants, to see which trees they feed on,' said Mr Foo. Mr Chua added: 'Any kind of material stored in the cryogenic collection can be pulled out for research, rather than going out to the field to collect them again.' In February 2018, a group of otter researchers from Singapore, Brazil and the US approached the museum for a loan of tissues of Singapore's two otter species – the smooth-coated otter and Asian small-clawed otter – in the hope of studying their genetic data. Researchers can also use biobank data to solve wildlife crime. For example, investigators looking to trace the origins of a wild animal trafficked into Singapore could cross-reference international databases to find out where it could have come from, given that sufficient countries maintain such databases. Growing conservation potential Singapore's biobanking initiative was further developed in 2012 when giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia arrived in Singapore. These bears do not breed well in captivity, so Mandai set up its own biobanking facility to store the semen of the male panda for artificial insemination. During the process, which takes place in a laboratory, the team places banked sperm together with oocytes, or cells from the ovary. Should the two successfully combine to yield a fertilised egg, it can then be transferred into the uterus or cervix of the female panda. For cells to continue to be viable after they are thawed, they must be cryopreserved in a special way – by adding anti-freeze. This prevents the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process, which would rip up the banked cells and render them unviable, said Dr Oz Pomp, lab head at Mandai Nature. Following the success at preserving panda sperm, the Mandai team started collecting sperm samples from other animals, said Dr Luz. 'Over time, it became more clear that there are other opportunities to biobanking than just blood and gametes,' she added. The wildlife parks also offer Mandai's veterinary team access to rare and threatened species, from which valuable samples can be obtained. Dr Luz said: 'Zoos house many species that are on the brink of extinction. This has sparked discussions in the conservation community around how we can do what botanical gardens have been doing for hundreds of years – start banking genetic material.' With more wildlife species being pushed to the brink of extinction owing to habitat loss or poaching, the race is on to preserve their genetic data before they are gone forever, said Dr Luz. 'We have a lot of 'little too late' scenarios, where we're down to the last few individuals,' she said. By then, the organisms remaining in the wild may have limited genetic diversity, and may be less equipped to survive crises such as disease outbreaks. 'But if we started banking earlier, we would have a better chance to save some of these species, like the northern white rhino, Yangtze giant softshell turtle and saola,' Dr Luz added. For this to happen, biobanking must be done by zoological institutions with access to different animals. But not all of them may have the resources or capacity to start building such banks. The process of extracting and banking cells is ethical, said Dr Luz, as long as the methodologies applied are non-invasive and appropriate, and no animal suffers. Mandai has been experimenting with developing new ways of obtaining cells that can be easily replicated without specialised equipment, said Dr Xie Shangzhe, vice-president of veterinary healthcare at Mandai Wildlife Group. For example, the research team found a way to obtain animal cells from subcutaneous fat found right under the skin. This allows veterinarians to collect sterile cell samples with just a needle – an improvement from the past where samples were taken from animal skin, which is dirtier and more prone to contamination. Once samples are contaminated, their integrity may be compromised, making it difficult to utilise them. Mandai has also begun developing techniques to extract other types of cells from live animals, including non-mammalian species. The team found success in growing fibroblasts, or cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue, from fallen pin feathers, which are the developing feathers of birds. Dr Xie said: 'These breakthroughs by Mandai, they are simple things that scientists in other parts of the region can replicate easily. 'Things like getting feathers or fat – doing a few simple steps to get something that can be banked – I think this is what makes our work unique.' Promises and perils Now, inspired by stem-cell research developments in humans, conservationists are also looking into their potential to prevent animals from going extinct. A group of cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells are especially powerful as they can be differentiated into a variety of cell types, such as sperm and eggs. In 2020, Mandai's research team successfully reprogrammed extracted live skin cells from the North Bornean orangutan into induced pluripotent stem cells. (From left) Dr Oz Pomp, Dr Xie Shangzhe and Dr Sonja Luz oversee biobanking efforts at Mandai's wildlife parks. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Most cells have a finite capability to proliferate, and stop multiplying after a few divisions, said Dr Pomp. But induced pluripotent stem cells can proliferate forever, allowing conservationists to 'make as much material as needed', added Dr Pomp, a stem-cell biologist who in October 2024 joined Mandai Nature to apply his skills to wildlife protection. Moreover, the ability of the pluripotent stem cell to differentiate into different cell types opens up new avenues for preventing extinction. 'Previous studies in mice have shown that it is possible to generate sperm and egg from the same individual – from the same male, for example,' Dr Pomp said. 'It's just a matter of time until we can tailor this technology to other species as well.' The future of banked material How these banked samples are used needs to be more deeply considered, said the conservationists. De-extinction, or the process of resurrecting a species that has died out, is one such example, said the museum's Mr Chua. In April, Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences made news when it announced it had created three 'dire wolf' pups , an extinct creature that roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago. The firm had extracted and sequenced DNA from fossilised dire wolf remains, and then compared it against the genome of the modern grey wolf. It then edited some of the wolf's genes so that it outwardly resembled its ancient counterpart. But many researchers were sceptical of the claim. Said Mr Chua: 'At what point do you edit enough that it becomes a dire wolf? 50-50? Or 51 per cent? For now, it's a wolf hybrid, basically.' On July 9, the firm announced its next project: attempting to resurrect the extinct South Island giant moa, a 3.6m-tall flightless bird that once lived on the South Island of New Zealand, but vanished around 600 years ago. De-extinction projects can be costly. Given that biodiversity loss is taking place at unprecedented rates, the decision to invest money in trying to de-extinct species, rather than save living ones, may also raise eyebrows, Mr Chua said. Mandai's Dr Luz said: 'For now, our aim is to collect, freeze and store as many samples as possible to create a safety net for some of the most threatened species of our region. Our goal is conservation, and nothing but that.' Singapore's biobanking efforts are not unlike saving for a rainy day. Just like how the animals were led two by two onto Noah's Ark to assure their continued existence after a flood, so, too, do the samples in Singapore's biobanks represent a lifeline for species on the brink of extinction. Hopefully, it is one that would never need to be used.
