In a commentary, SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping discussed the paradoxes that occurred as a result of the advancement in modern medical technology.  In this article – which was adapted from a speech Mr Ho delivered at the recent graduation and hooding ceremony of Duke-NUS Medical School – he opined that the role of élites is to “practice the values of egalitarianism while be willing to undertake – even under social criticism from populists – the responsibilities of leadership that come with being members of an elite.”