Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
on the Occasion of the commemorative ceremony
of the 10th International Congress of Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Friday, September 15 , 2006
Hotel New Otani Makuhari
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am most pleased to have the honor of attending the commemorative ceremony of the 10th International Congress of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, together with so many participants from Japan and all over the world.
This year’s Congress celebrates the 10th meeting, and I understand that it marks the passage of nearly a century since the concept of the genetic disorder known as Inherited Metabolic Diseases was first proposed. When I realize that great advances in the treatment and research of inherited metabolic diseases over the past century have resulted in saving the lives of many patients throughout the world, I am filled with deep respect for the pediatricians, biochemists, nurses, dietitians, and other specialists who have been dedicating hard work and strenuous efforts to this worthy cause.
I have heard that the field of Inherited Metabolic Diseases is made up of an excellent combination of basic and clinical medicine, and thanks to rapid progress in genetic engineering, the diagnosis of many genetic diseases has become possible, and it is expected that this field will contribute greatly to the development of future regenerative medicine and even gene therapy.
Nearly 20 years have passed since the last Congress in Asia was held in Japan, and I am happy to note that a great number of the research papers introduced at the Congress this year are from various nations of Asia, a region with an immense population. I hope that these research papers will clearly demonstrate the steady progress of research and clinical studies in Asia, which, I expect, will lead to an ever widening scope of international cooperation in this field.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere wish that this Congress will produce fruitful results and lead to further developments in the clinical study and research on Inherited Metabolic Diseases, and thus contribute to the well-being of humankind. Thank you.
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