Health authorities are investigating whether blood samples from pregnant women are being smuggled into Hong Kong for testing, with two laboratories being referred for follow-up action.
The Department of Health said on Wednesday that the case involved the suspected illegal importation of blood samples from mainland China for fetal gender testing.
It said it had notified mainland authorities about the case, which came to light after the department received media inquiries regarding social media promotions on arranging blood draws for pregnant mainland women.
“[The department] referred relevant information regarding the two laboratories in question to the Medical Laboratory Technologists Board for appropriate actions against the registered medical laboratory technologists concerned,” it said.
The department said the two laboratories in Hong Kong were NovaGene Diagnostic Laboratory Limited and Zentrogene Bioscience Laboratory Limited.
The board is a statutory body responsible for maintaining a register of medical lab technologists.
Under the law, lab technologists cannot perform tests for medical diagnosis or treatment without a referral from a registered medical practitioner or other specified healthcare professional.
