Celebrity cosmetic surgeon Lin Ching-yun (林靜芸), who was indicted for performing illegal gel silicon breast implants a few years ago, yesterday denied the charges in a hearing.
Lin, a former director of the Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, was indicted by Taipei prosecutors last month for allegedly violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法).
Prosecutors said Lin and a deceased surgeon surnamed Hsieh performed gel silicon breast implants from March 2004 through 2008. Gel silicon breast implants were illegal until later in 2008 when they gained Department of Health (DOH) approval.
Prosecutors seized files on 11 patients from Lin’s clinic, saying the documents provided evidence that Lin and Hsieh had performed the implants.
Lin yesterday told Taipei District Court judges that she performed liquid silicon implants rather than gel silicon implants. The gel silicon was used to contain liquid silicon — like a pack — and was not used as filler, she said.
Lin also accused investigators from the Ministry of Justice’s Investigation Bureau of entrapment and deception during the investigation, adding that there were procedural flaws.
Cosmetic surgeons had for years been calling for the approval of gel silicon implants, which they say are safer than liquid silicon implants.
As a leading promoter, Lin had told the media that since gel silicon implants were not liquid, but rather a cohesive mass, there was less danger associated with their use. There was no risk of leakage, even in the event of a rupture, Lin said.
Lin is the wife of former DOH minister Lin Fang-yue (林芳郁), who is now superintendent at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.
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