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Health care industry

Seoul University Panel Conducts Additional DNA Test on Cloned Dog Snuppy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A nine-member investigating panel at Seoul National University (SNU) has commissioned another DNA test on the blood samples of Snuppy, a cloned Afghan hound, to verify its authenticity. The DNA test is part of the panel's widening probe into Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research, which allegedly used stem cells extracted from a cloned human embryo. The panel's investigation has already led to an interim finding that Hwang intentionally fabricated a landmark study published in Science, where he claimed to have extracted patient-tailored stem cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The panel has commissioned an additional DNA test on Snuppy, a cloned Afghan hound, to verify its authenticity.
  • The DNA test is part of a wider investigation into Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research, which allegedly used stem cells extracted from a cloned human embryo.
  • The panel has already found that Hwang "intentionally fabricated" a landmark study published in Science, where he claimed to have extracted patient-tailored stem cells.
  • Hwang's study, published in May, claimed to have extracted stem cells from cloned human embryos, a feat scientists say could help treat incurable diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's.
  • The panel is considering holding a press conference to explain the developments of its investigation.
  • The final results of the probe are expected to be released early next month.

Statistics:

  • Snuppy, a cloned Afghan hound, is the subject of the additional DNA test commissioned by the panel.
  • The DNA test is aimed at verifying the authenticity of Snuppy, which was unveiled in August.
  • The panel consists of nine members, who have been investigating Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research since December.
  • The investigation has already found that nine of the 11 stem cell lines in Hwang's landmark study were faked.
  • The New York-based journal Science, where Hwang's landmark study was published in May, has not commented on the panel's findings.

Sources:

  • Yonhap (Dec 28, 2003)

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