South Korean Stem Cell Advances May Have Been Faked

It has been reported that a South Korean pioneer has admitted that some vital parts of the team's ground-breaking workings on stem cells may have been fabricated for a major research paper.

|PIC1|A colleague of Dr Hwang Woo-suk has told how the doctor said he had faked at least nine of eleven stem-cell colonies. The research unveiled by Dr Hwang has been testified as an amazing breakthrough, and as a clear sign of the potential in using stem-cell technology for curing degenerative diseases.

However, just last month various ethical lapses were revealed in his study methods, and this has led to Dr Hwang coming under increased scrutiny from professionals as well as the press.

Since last week, when Dr Hwang made dramatic admissions regarding ethical lapses, he has spent much of his time in hospital, where he has been suffering from intense stress as a result of escalating allegations against him and his work.

It now appears as if Dr Hwang’s close associate has admitted faking at least a number of the results of his research. The latest revelations have instigated anger amongst South Korean media.

At the end of November, Dr. Hwang Woo-suk of Seoul National University confirmed swirling rumours at a packed press conference in Seoul that the ova, or eggs used during his team’s research were obtained from junior scientists working in his lab.

As a result, he resigned as the head of the World Stem Cell Hub and various other government and non-governmental agencies where he holds office. He said he would only focus on research from now on.

“I am very sorry that I have to tell the public words that are too shameful and horrible,” Hwang said during a press conference, according to the Associated Press. “I should be here reporting the successful results of our research, but I’m sorry instead to have to apologise.”

|AD|International ethical guidelines for embryonic stem cell research say that women should not be paid for donating eggs to prevent the possibility that they could be financially coerced. In addition other guidelines prevent superiors from obtaining eggs from subordinates to avoid moral coercion.

In South Korea, ethical guidelines banning such practices were made into law earlier this year. However, Hwang’s research team obtained the ova before the laws were enacted.

Hwang explained that he had refused various attempts to receive the eggs from students, according to South Korean new agency Yonhap. Later, however, he says that a British science journal approached him to confirm its findings that two of his researchers had donated their eggs for research.

Hwang said he checked with the two female researchers and learned that they had made a donation of eggs without his permission but did not want the information to be disclosed.

He added that in order to protect the personal privacy of the donors, he then lied about the donations to the Journal but said he now regrets not having told the truth at the time.

Regarding payments for the eggs, Hwang said that another researcher on his team who was in charge of obtaining eggs told him in late October that some of the eggs had been obtained through purchase. Hwang apologised for using those eggs, even through they had been used against his will.

Hwang, who has become a widely known and respected figure in South Korea, told the people of his country that he had not had deep thoughts regarding ethics and laws at the time. He says he now believes that ethics and science both have an important role to play for humanity’s future.

He thanked the people for their support, said he would work to keep international standards in the future.

Hwang has previously met with religious leaders to discuss the ethical considerations behind his work.