The Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (A-PBA) Scientific Conference

07 Mar 2007

By Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Health

Venue: Shangri-La Hotel

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to be with you at this opening of the 2nd APBA scientific meeting.  To our foreign guests, I warmly welcome you to Singapore and wish you an enjoyable stay

I will focus my remarks on the emerging threats to Singapore in the areas of biosafety and biosecurity.

History of infectious diseases in Singapore

2 At the point of Singapore's independence in 1965, infectious diseases were the major cause of death here.  Cramped living conditions and poor environmental hygiene and sanitation allowed infectious diseases to spread quite easily. Tuberculosis and food-and-water borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever were prevalent then.  With the rapid social and economic development of Singapore over the past four decades, things have improved tremendously. As a result, most of the infectious diseases have been brought under control and are no longer significant threat's to our population's health.

3 In their place, we now face new challenges. 

4 In the last 20 years, more than 20 different pathogens have emerged.  Some, like the Ebola, West Nile, Nipah, SARS, and more recently, the H5N1 avian influenza, have caused or are threatening to cause deadly outbreaks.

Emerging infectious diseases in Singapore

5 As an open economy and society, and a transport, trade and tourist hub, Singapore is vulnerable to such infections and outbreaks.   Let me cite 2 examples.

6 In March 1999, 11 abattoir workers here contracted the Nipah virus infection.  One of them died.  The source of the virus was traced to infected live pigs imported into the country. We suspended the import of live pigs and this stopped the infection. 

7 More recently in 2003, SARS was carried into Singapore by 3 persons who picked up the disease in Hong Kong.  It was a scary experience as the country was up against a largely unknown yet deadly enemy.  All resources, ranging from scientific to social, were mobilized to fight the incursion.  Thankfully, the measures worked and Singapore emerged from the shadows of SARS after several months of hard struggle. 

8 Now, our eyes are trained on the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Since its discovery in 1997 in Hong Kong, this virus has spread across the world. Fortunately, this virus has not yet, as far as we know, acquired the ability to be transmitted efficiently from person to person. To guard against that eventuality, effective counter-measures must be found.  

9 Besides diseases that may spring forth in nature, man-made threats in the form of biological warfare, such as the use of anthrax, also calls for increased vigilance and upgraded capabilities to deal with the eventuality.

Dealing with emerging infectious diseases threats

10  Throughout history, Mankind's fight against infection and disease has been aided by advances in knowledge and technology.  Investment in life sciences research is thus not only an economic strategy for Singapore, but also improves  our our ability to tackle  infectious diseases.

12  In the area of  biological research, special care must be taken to ensure that that the highest standards of Biosafety and security are adopted, so that the health of laboratory personnel and the public at large are safeguarded.  The Biological Agents and Toxins Act (BATA) enacted in 2005 and which came into force in January 2006 provides the legal framework to ensure such an outcome in Singapore. 

13 At the same time, it is also important to tap fully the synergy of the knowledge network and bring together the complementary capabilities and collaboration  of the different specialised institutions.  For example, an on-going local study of dengue fever involves the Tan Tock Seng Hospitial, Novartis Institute of Tropical Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, the Environmental Health Institute and DSO National Laboratories.

The role of the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association 

14  The dynamic nature of bioresearch and its important ramifications call for  a high level of ethics and professionalism in the industry.  In this regard, the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (A-PBA) can play a useful  role in promoting biosafety practices and in the sharing of biosafety information among practitioners.  I understand that  you have been active in drawing attention to biological safety as a distinct scientific discipline, in promoting biosafety awareness, in training and adopting safe work practices, and  in serving as a platform to allow for the exchange of biosafety knowledge and expertise.   The agenda of, and quality of participation in your first conference in March 2006 and in this year's conference indicates good progress. 

15       I hope that your continuing efforts will yield much fruit, and I wish you a fruitful conference.  

Thank you.

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