|
Embattled cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk has offered to resign his
chair at Seoul National University after an SNU panel concluded Friday
that he deliberately fabricated research results for a paper published
in the U.S. journal Science this year. But a university official said
the school cannot accept Hwang��s resignation while the probe continues.
Hwang made the announcement at SNU��s Veterinary College on Friday
afternoon following a meeting with close colleagues in the morning.
With weeping researchers and veterinary students looking on, he
apologized for disappointing the public but insisted the technology to
produce patient-specific embryonic stem cells belongs to Korea and
vowed to prove it in the future. Academics in the Veterinary College also apologized. In a
statement after a meeting with Hwang, the scientists said a professor��s
research manipulation and violation of ethics was intolerable no matter
what the reasons and pledged to prevent a recurrence of the scandal.
 |
Roe Jung-hye, head of Seoul National University's Research Affairs
Office, announces the preliminary investigation findings concerning
Professor Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research paper published in Science
Magazine, at the Seoul National University in Seoul on Friday. Hwang
fabricated results of at least nine of 11 stem-cell lines he claims to
have created intentionally, the university said.
|
 |
|
Earlier, Roe Jung-hye, the head of SNU's Research Affairs Office, said
analysis of data published in Science revealed that Hwang and his team
deliberately inflated the number of stem cells they had from only two
to 11. She said this had not been a simple mistake. Hwang had partly admitted that he directly ordered the
fabrication of research results, which was consistent with statements
from his team members, Roe said. She said heavy disciplinary measures
were inevitable. Roe said it could not be confirmed if the remaining two
patient-tailored stem cells are genuine until the results of DNA
analysis come out. The panel also found that Hwang used up far more
eggs to clone embryos than he claimed in the paper. Hwang said he used
only 185 ova to produce stem cells. The SNU panel plans to expand its investigation to all of
Hwang��s past research work including a paper on cloning published in
Science in 2004 and the world��s first cloned dog Snuppy. Answers in
these two cases will be revealed early next week when DNA analysis
results come out. Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said Choeng Wa Dae would
decide its position after the panel announces the final investigation
results. It will then also decide whether Presidential Information and
Science Secretary Park Ki-young should resign. The Ministry of Science and Technology said it would take
necessary steps in accordance with research management regulations,
including a decision on funding for Hwang��s research. Prosecutors will
launch an investigation into Hwang��s research manipulation and a swap
of stem cells he claims occurred at the MizMedi Hospital as soon as the
SNU panel announces its complete findings. The Board of Audit and Inspection will consider an audit of
government support for Hwang��s research at the same time, the BAI said.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare also decided to investigate ethical
lapses by Hwang and his team. ([email protected] )
|
