The human genome and its implications will be included in the formal school curriculum for the first time next year.
The topic would be part of a revised programme for Form Six biology students, senior curriculum development officer Chan Pui-pin said.
Mr Chan, from the science section of the Department of Education, said the move reflected a desire to update teaching for the 21st century. 'We think this is of relevance to our health and to human beings in general,' he said.
Students would also cover some of the ethical implications of mapping the human genome, such as the potential for genetic discrimination, he said.
The genome refers to the complete human genetic make-up, 98 per cent of which has been sequenced by two groups of international scientists. The details were published in the journals Science and Nature this month.
Mr Chan said the genome was already being discussed in some classes but the subject was not on the formal curriculum.
Biotechnology was also likely to be a focus of a new integrated science and technology subject to be implemented in 2003.
