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Fears mounted on Wednesday that key cloning technology developed by
stem cell pioneer Prof. Hwang Woo-suk and his research team could be
leaked abroad after it emerged that two former team members have
applied for permanent residence in the U.S. The two are party to
sensitive inside knowledge on core stem cell technology. A source in Hwang��s team said the two were seconded to the
University of Pittsburgh last year and now applied for residence in the
U.S. One of them is said to be Park Eul-soon, who made headlines
last week by dropping out of sight and severing contact with the Seoul
National University team. She is party to a newly developed technique
for the removal of an egg��s nucleus for cloning and has played a key
role in Pittsburgh Prof. Gerald Schatten��s cloning of monkey embryos.
The other former team member has inside knowledge of embryonic stem
cell cultivation technology.
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Stem cell pioneer Hwang Woo-suk rests at Seoul National University
Hospital on Wednesday morning after being admitted due to failing
health. |
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A source in the U.S. told the Chosun Ilbo that Pittsburgh University on
Tuesday asked a Korean law firm there to expedite the residence
applications for the two researchers, citing an immigration clause that
gives preference to foreign scientists who work in the U.S. national
interest. This suggests the university is paying for the immigration process.
Meanwhile, Prof. Hwang was admitted to Seoul National University Hospital on Wednesday morning.
"Prof. Hwang's health has deteriorated because of dehydration
caused by extreme stress," said Sung Myung-hoon, the head of the
hospital's planning office. "Hwang's health condition requires stable medical care in
hospital for a week as he has lost a considerable amount of weight in a
short time," he added. Asked how serious Hwang's condition is, Sung said, "We have to
wait for the results of the medical examination, but his condition is
serious enough for hospitalization." ([email protected] )
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