# Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, University of Hong Kong **Wikidata**: [Q136749848](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136749848) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-medical-ethics-and-law-university-of-hong-kong ## Summary The Centre for Medical Ethics and Law (CMEL) is a dedicated research institute established in 2012 at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). It operates as a cross-faculty initiative, affiliated with both the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law, focusing its research exclusively on the intersecting fields of medical ethics and medical law. ## Key Facts - **Inception**: Founded in 2012. - **Parent Organization**: University of Hong Kong. - **Affiliations**: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Law, University of Hong Kong. - **Primary Field of Work**: Medical ethics and medical law. - **Official Language Used**: English. - **Official Website**: https://cmel.hku.hk/. - **Instance Of**: Research institute. - **Geographic Location**: Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. - **VIAF Identifier**: 210146094140300330380. - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2016042796 (assigned to "University of Hong Kong. Centre for Medical Ethics and Law"). ## FAQs **What is the Centre for Medical Ethics and Law's core mission?** Its core mission is to conduct dedicated research on the ethical and legal dimensions of medicine and healthcare. As a research institute, it focuses on generating new knowledge in medical ethics and law without the primary obligations of teaching or degree-granting. **How is the centre structured within the University of Hong Kong?** The centre is a university-level research institute with formal affiliations to two specific faculties: the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law. Its ultimate parent organization is the University of Hong Kong itself. **When was the centre established and what does it study?** It was established in 2012. Its research is specifically concentrated on the interdisciplinary fields of medical ethics and medical law, examining issues at the intersection of healthcare practice, policy, and legal frameworks. **What language does the centre use for its operations and research?** The centre operates and disseminates its research primarily in English, as indicated by the language qualifier on its official website. **How is the centre officially identified in library and knowledge systems?** It is formally identified as an instance of a "research institute." It holds a unique Library of Congress Authority ID (no2016042796) and a VIAF identifier (210146094140300330380) for cataloging and linked data purposes. ## Why It Matters The Centre for Medical Ethics and Law addresses critical societal challenges at the complex nexus of healthcare, ethics, and legal regulation. In an era of rapid medical advancement and global health crises, dedicated research in this area is essential for developing responsible policies, guiding clinical practice, and informing public discourse on issues like end-of-life decisions, resource allocation, genetic technologies, and patient rights. By providing a focused, interdisciplinary research hub within a major university, CMEL contributes foundational analysis that helps navigate the moral and legal complexities of modern medicine, ultimately supporting the development of more equitable and just healthcare systems. ## Notable For - **Interdisciplinary Institutional Model**: It is notable for its formal, cross-faculty structure, bridging HKU's prestigious Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Law, which is a specific organizational design for tackling integrated problems. - **Dedicated Specialization**: It represents a focused institutional commitment to the specific, combined fields of medical ethics and law, distinguishing it from broader ethics centers or single-discipline legal research centers. - **Strategic University Positioning**: Its establishment in 2012 signifies HKU's strategic investment in a critical area of study, positioning the university as a hub for research on the governance and ethics of health. - **Official Recognition**: It holds formal authority identifiers from major library systems (Library of Congress, VIAF), confirming its status as a distinct, citable research entity. ## Body ### History and Establishment The Centre for Medical Ethics and Law (CMEL) was formally established in 2012 as a research institute within the University of Hong Kong. Its creation represented a strategic initiative to foster dedicated scholarly activity at the intersection of medical practice, ethical reasoning, and legal doctrine. ### Organizational Structure and Governance CMEL operates as a research institute under the ultimate authority of the **University of Hong Kong**, its parent organization. Its work is formally conducted through a collaborative, cross-faculty model with direct affiliations to two of HKU's core academic units: the **Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine** and the **Faculty of Law**. This structure ensures its research is grounded in both clinical/medical science and legal scholarship. ### Identity and Classification The entity is formally classified and identified through multiple systems: * **Instance Of**: It is explicitly an instance of a **research institute**, a category defined by its primary purpose being the conduct of systematic investigation. * **Field of Work**: Its research is specifically concentrated on **medical ethics** and **medical law**. * **Geographic and National Context**: It is **located in Hong Kong**, which is part of the **People's Republic of China**. * **Operational Language**: Its primary language for operations and output is **English**. * **Digital Presence**: Its official website is **https://cmel.hku.hk/**. * **Library and Knowledge Identifiers**: * **VIAF ID**: 210146094140300330380. * **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2016042796, assigned to the specific name "University of Hong Kong. Centre for Medical Ethics and Law". ### Research Focus and Scope As a dedicated research institute, CMEL's sole purpose is the generation of new knowledge. Its scope is confined to the interdisciplinary domain where medicine, ethics, and law converge. This involves systematic investigation into topics such as medical decision-making, healthcare policy and regulation, bioethics, patient rights and responsibilities, and the legal implications of medical innovation. It does not function as a teaching department granting degrees but rather as a pure research entity supporting the broader academic mission of its affiliated faculties and the university.