Seoul University to Investigate Stem Cell Research Scandal

An ad hoc panel of experts from Seoul National University (SNU) is expected to scrutinize the authenticity of Professor Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research in light of recent allegations. The university has announced an investigation into the use of human eggs in Hwang's research, which has sparked widespread criticism. Hwang, a renowned SNU professor, has admitted to using eggs paid for by a local hospital and claimed that he obtained informed consent from the donors.

Key Takeaways:

• The SNU panel will comprise experts from the university to determine the validity of Hwang's research, with the possibility of excluding outside organizations to safeguard intellectual property rights.
• Hwang's team used human eggs paid for by a local hospital, a fact that has raised concerns about the ethics of his research.
• The scandal has intensified after a local TV station announced an investigative program questioning the validity of Hwang's work, which has led to calls for an independent inquiry.
• Hwang's team gained international recognition for cloning human embryos and extracting stem cells in 2005, but the current controversy has put his research under scrutiny.
• The investigation is expected to last several months, and the university plans to hold a press conference to elaborate on the details of the inquiry.
• Hwang has apologized for the use of human eggs, although experts have noted that the actions were not technically illegal at the time.

Statistics:

• 2005: Hwang's team cloned human embryos for the first time in the world and extracted stem cells from them.
• 2006: Hwang announced that his team had made stem cells individually tailored to people regardless of age and gender.
• 2003: Two of Hwang's junior researchers donated their eggs for embryonic stem cell research.
• The university plans to hold a press conference later in the day to disclose the details of the investigation and the panel's composition.
• Several months: the expected duration of the investigation.

Sources:

• Yonhap, "SNU to Investigate Stem Cell Research Scandal" (December 12)