Comic：Father of safer prenatal testing -Lo Yuk-ming
【明報專訊】Eason is boasting again in front of the Smarties.
Eason: ”I've got something amazing! A brand new invention! ”
Pat: ”What's that again? You're always full of hot air! ”
Bill: ”Is it something you bought online again? ”
Eason: ”No way! This one's groundbreaking! ”
Pat: ”Not again... You need to stop calling these inventions! ”
Bill: ”Do you know the meaning of "groundbreaking"? It describes something like the safer prenatal test for pregnant women. ”
Dr Panda: ”Yes, Professor Dennis Lo made a real breakthrough with his research on fetal (胎兒) DNA. ”
Bill: ”His discoveries have saved a lot of mums and babies! ”
◆Know more
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming (盧煜明) has been the President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong since early 2025. He is renowned for discovering that fetal DNA, which is genetic material (遺傳物質) from an unborn baby, is present in a pregnant mother's blood. This led to the development of a safer and more accurate prenatal test for genetic disorders like Down syndrome (唐氏綜合症).
After completing his medical studies in the United Kingdom, Professor Lo returned to Hong Kong in 1997. He expanded his research to early cancer detection using similar blood-based techniques. His research has been highly influential, as he holds multiple patents and has been invited to speak at conferences worldwide.
■English highway﹕Hot air
''Hot air'' is an idiom which means something that someone says is not sincere.
E.g. His promises always turn out to be just hot air.
Don't believe her! She's full of hot air.
■Glossary
expand (v) 擴展
influential (adj) 具影響力的
patent (n) 專利
conference (n) 會議
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第440期]
