XN000022-1994-03-09 — Page 15

13

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994

AND

SHR SAID ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO PREVENT AIDS, PARTICULARLY HIV TRANSMISSION THROUGH SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, WAS THE PRACTICE OF SAFER SEX WHICH COVERED MANY LIFESTYLE CHOICES.

RELATIONSHIP

THESE VARY FROM MAINTAINING A MUTUALLY MONOGAMOUS A SINGLE PARTNER, AVOIDING CAUSAL SEX, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SEXUAL PARTNERS, TO WEARING A CONDOM.

WITH

SINCE 1988

THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD CONDUCTED THREE TESTS ON CONDOMS OBTAINED FROM RETAIL OUTLETS.

THE RESULTS ON EACH OCCASION HAVE BEEN WIDELY PUBLICISED TO ENABLE CONSUMERS TO MAKE SENSIBLE AND INFORMED CHOICES.

BILL

THE

SUBJECT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY INTRODUCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY LAST DECEMBER, COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSUMER GOODS SUPPLIED ARE REASONABLY SAFE.

MRS WONG SAID THE COMMISSIONER WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO REFER SAMPLES TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR TESTING SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDED SAFEGUARD FOR THE PUBLIC.

ORGAN

CONDITIONS SET FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ORGAN DONATIONS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN ESTABLISHED POLICY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG,

SAID.

HOWEVER, TWO CONDITIONS MUST BE FULLY MET.

"FIRST, ANY ORGAN DONATION MUST BE A VOLUNTARY ACT AND THE DECISION TO DONATE MUST REST ON THE FREE WILL OF THE DONOR, SHE SAID.

|

"SECONDLY, THERE MUST NOT BE ANY COMMERCIAL

TRANSACTION

OF

ORGANS.

I

MRS WONG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD KUI-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

LAM

WERE

SHE EMPHASISED THAT UNLESS THESE TWO CONDITIONS FULFILLED BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, ACCEPTANCE OF ORGANS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS WAS BOTH REPUGNANT AND OBNOXIOUS.

"THUS, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT A PRISONER'S EXPRESSED WISH TO DONATE IF HIS OFFER IS MADE VOLUNTARILY, WITHOUT ANY COERCION, AND BEFORE IMPARTIAL AND RELIABLE WITNESSES, SHE ADDED.

TI

ABOUT ΤΟ BR

IN RESPECT OF DONATED ORGANS FROM PRISONERS EXECUTED, MRS WONG SAID EACH CASE WAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POLICY BEING FULLY MET.

0

/14