Such challenges in the legal system brought about by high technology has become a hot topic of experienced professors from over 130 law schools around the world who gathered in Beijing to a forum on the reform and development of legal education in the 21st century, which is going on Monday.

Professor William P. Alford, director of East Asian Legal Studies, Harvard University, said people must admit that computer and biological technology has had an unprecedented impact on the legal system.

He called on law experts of the world to explore ways to deal with the challenges.

Professor Suzuki Ken from the Faculty of Law of Japan's Hokudai University said the key problem is that many widely accepted concepts have changed fundamentally and as a result the legal system, made up of traditional cognition and values, becomes more vulnerable.

In June this year, scientists declared they have completed a rough draft of an entire human gene, which is considered a technological triumph in the process of decoding the mystery of human beings.

In spite of that, law professors argue whether or not it is necessary to protect a person's genetic information as his privacy. Should a boss know about the genetic information of his employees?

Meanwhile, the disputes of piracy via Internet and hacker's vicious attacks are more and more common in the world in recent years.

As far as the current laws are concerned, people are not well prepared for the new situation, said Professor Alford.

Experts also noted that the traditional mode of education in law is facing challenges too.

"In terms of computer and Internet, students keep far ahead of law professors. That means that students, more often than not, get more of the latest information and materials than teachers," said Wu Zhipan, dean of the Law School of the Beijing University

Wu also said that both teachers and students will learn from each other, thus establishing a new relationship.

Despite all this, Wu was confident in the future. "The fundamental principle of law to maintain freedom and justice will never change and this is what we build our confidence on," he said.

(Xinhua 12/04/2000)