Korean Scientist Faked Stem Cell Research

Following an investigation, a panel at Seoul National University (Korea) has announced that Hwang Woo Suk, its leading scientist, falsified the results of his experiments to clone embryos and extract stem cells from them to match patients.

In an article in Science in June 2005, Dr. Hwang claimed to have cloned human embryos by transferring the nucleus of an adult cell into an egg and then to have extracted stem cells from that egg that genetically matched patients, who would then be able to produce regenerated tissues that could treat their diseases.

Seoul University's Dean of Research Affairs, Dr. Roe Jung Hye, has reported that Dr. Hwang's team does not have scientific data to prove it has produced such stem cells. Furthermore, following extensive DNA testing, the investigative panel found that none of the stem cells created by Dr. Hwang were produced by cloning but were from fertilized eggs and were not designed specifically for patients. Now, the panel is also investigating a 2004 study by Dr. Hwang as well as his claim to have produced the first cloned dog. The panel is to announce it findings in mid-January, according to Dr. Roe.

In the meantime, Dr. Hwang has claimed that the authentic stem cells he developed were stolen from his lab, replaced by samples from MizMedi Hospital in Seoul, which participated in his research. However, he has resigned from the university and has apologized for the falsifications in his paper.

The episode has dashed the hopes of scientists worldwide who thought Dr. Hwang's work would be able to advance the technology for therapeutic cloning.