Your Voice: Decoding the ethics of genetic engineering; prioritising youth mental health (short letters)

Nowadays, marked by remarkable scientific advancements, genetic engineering stands at the forefront of innovation. The ability to control the genetic make-up of living organisms opens up a world of new possibilities, but it also raises many ethical questions.

Genetic engineering holds an important role in improving human health and enhancing agricultural practices. With the ability to edit genes, we can cure inherited diseases, develop more nutritional crops, and clear the effects of climate change.

However, one of the key concerns is the idea of “playing God”. Tampering with the genetic code may lead to unimaginable consequences. We may see the creation of genetically modified crops that pose risks to humans, or even the creation of new diseases.

Another consideration is human genetic engineering. While the idea of eliminating genetic disease may seem appealing, it raises questions about equality and fairness for a genetic human in society. Will genetic enhancements create a gap between those who can afford them and those who cannot?

Out-of-this-world study will test how stem cells function in space

Michelle Tsang, Pope Paul VI College

The exponential rise in mental health issues and suicide rates in Hong Kong clearly shows that stress has become an undeniable problem among city adolescents.

Academic pressure is one of the key factors contributing to students’ anxiety. The harsh education system, heavy workload and intense competition among peers forces students to devote their time to studying, attending tutorial classes, and participating in extracurricular activities. As a result, they are unable to find time for relaxation and socialisation. The balance between life and studying becomes unattainable, and the fear of not performing at their best adds to their stress.

Most Asian parents share a traditional mindset that pushes their children to be perfect and stand out among their peers. The fear of parental dissatisfaction can discourage students.

Additionally, peers have a significant impact on increasing stress levels. Social media plays a crucial role in this. The constant exposure to others’ achievements and seemingly perfect lives leads to inevitable comparisons.

It is crucial not to overlook the urgency of mitigating stress levels. Efforts must be made by society to build students’ resilience and prioritise their mental health.

He Hua, HKTA Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School

I am writing in response to Alvin Wong’s article, published in Your Voice on February 3, titled “Preserving the Cantonese language”. The article emphasises the need to preserve Cantonese as an asset to Hong Kong’s culture.

I could not agree more that Cantonese is at risk of fading out due to bilingualism or multilingualism. Learning more than one language is essential, not only for career advantages but also for gaining an international perspective. However, we mustn’t forget that Cantonese, the mother tongue of most Hongkongers, shapes our cultural identity.

Dating back to the fall of the Han dynasty, a significant number of people migrated to Guangzhou. This massive population transfer led to the fusion of the indigenous dialects and ancient Chinese, giving birth to Cantonese. In the late 19th century, when the English frequently travelled to the trading region in southern China, the name “Canton” was derived from the word “Guangzhou”.

Since then, Cantonese has become globally associated with southern China and is important to Hong Kong’s heritage.

SOTY Linguist category runner-up connects with culture through Cantonese

Koo Chi-ngai, Valtorta College

I am writing to express my view of the article “Hong Kong principals seek support as schools set to shell out tens of thousands under coming waste-charging scheme”, published on February 19.

The policy has generated both criticism and support. Its guidelines are not comprehensive enough for people to follow, and a lot of the fine print is still not well defined. For example, it is hard to regulate the illegal dumping of rubbish. It is impossible to ensure that each rubbish bin and garbage collection station is monitored by a CCTV.

Authorities will have to recruit more officers to ensure the scheme is implemented correctly. These extra expenses will put a heavy financial burden on the government. At the same time, hospitals, which create a large amount of medical waste daily, will have to bear a vast additional cost for buying the exclusive rubbish bags.

Nevertheless, there are compelling reasons for the waste-charging scheme to be implemented. It bolsters government tax revenue and also curtails environmental pollution. The government, however, must re-examine and enhance the policy. Until all the intricacies are meticulously defined, the measure will encounter limited success.