S.Korean clone expert defends stem cell research

South Korean clone expert Hwang Woo-suk on Friday defended his team's stem cell research, saying it has technology to clone embryonic stem cells and had produced the cells in research.

Appearing before hundreds of reporters, Hwang first made apology to South Korean people for recent uproar surrounding his research.

"There is no doubt that we produced 11 patient-specific stem cells, and possess the core technology to create them (again)," Hwang affirmed during the televised press conference at Seoul National University (SNU) Friday afternoon.

However, the professor admitted six of the 11 cloned embryonic stem cells cultivated in his research were severely "contaminated" earlier this year and it was impossible to keep them alive.

Hwang said his team is working on thawing the five remaining stem cells, which will take about 15 days to complete.

"If the five stem cells match those of the donor, the entire controversy will be resolved," said Hwang.

Moreover, the 52-year-old professor also confessed the pictures of the stem cells published along with his paper in US journal of Science "had irretrievable lethal error."

He said he will ask Science to retract of the paper after consultating with other 25 co-authors.

In recent two months, Hwang has been in the center of a snowballing controversy first aroused by a series of investigation program aired by local TV station MBC, which oppugned authenticity of Hwang's research accomplishment.

The new development of the controversy over Hwang's stem cell research came about 20 days after Hwang admitted he used ova donated by his two female junior researchers in his research in 2003.

The action is widely viewed not comply to international ethical standard in bio-medical research.

In May this year, Hwang's team announced in a paper published in Science that it had successfully cloned 11 different stem cells tailored to individual patients, paving the way for future development of therapies for hard-to-cure diseases.

Hwang's news conference came one day after a co-author of Hwang 's paper openly doubted the authenticity of Hwang's research, alleging Hwang fabricated partial images of the embryonic stem cells described in Hwang's paper.

Previously, MBC quoted a former fellow researcher in Hwang's team as reporting that the 11 images of the stem cells published along with the paper in Science were copied and manipulated from two stem cells.

Thursday's new allegation relating to Hwang's research made a block to South Korean society.

Possible fraud in Hwang's epoch-making stem cell research topped almost all the headlines of local newspaper on Friday.

Earlier Friday, the SNU announced the formation of a special panel to examine the authenticity of the stem cell research.

The university said the panel will dig into the facts about the research, and, if the need arises, ask any people who made mistakes to take responsibility.

South Korean government also convened an emergency meeting presided by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan earlier Friday to discuss how to cope with the matter.

However, Seoul government declined to make clear its official stance over the controversy before the SNU's investigation ends.

Since Hwang announced his team successfully cloned embryonic stem cells in 2004 for the first time in the world, the South Korean government has extended much support to bio-medical researches made by local researchers.

The government also labeled the biotechnology industry as one of the ten promising industries that would help the country's economy increase competitiveness in the world.

Of course, Hwang is viewed as the bellwether of the promising industry.

Hwang's success also stirred a bio-engineering whirlwind in the Asian country. Even some housewives showed their strong ardor to the stem cell research by making registration to donate their ova.

Controversy surrounding Hwang's research already divided local people into two rival camps.

One camp shows anger at Hwang, who they think damaged international image and fame of South Korea. The other extend support to Hwang, who they deem is national hero for his unprecedented accomplishment.

Currently, South Korean government, political parties, scientific circle and ordinary people all expressed their hope the time-consuming disputes will end soon.

Source: Xinhua