Seoul National University (SNU) gave its interim conclusion Friday that South Korean clone expert Hwang Woo-suk faked the result of his research in the paper published in May this year in the journal Science.

The tentative conclusion was made by a special panel of the SNU in its preliminary report on its investigation of the authenticity scandal surrounding its professor Hwang's stem cell research.

The report, which confirmed some of the allegation previously claimed by local media and co-researchers of Hwang, dealt a blow at South Korean people, the science circle and government, and even South Korea's international image.

FABRICATION EXISTS IN HWANG'S PAPER

"Hwang's team had reported it had 11 patient-tailored stem cell lines but there were only two such stem cell lines on March 15 when it submitted its paper to the journal Science," said the report.

The 9-member panel said after analyzing the data published in Science, they concluded that the glitch of the so-call images of stem cells was not "made by a simple mistake but by deliberate manipulation."

"All the data for the 2005 paper including DNA fingerprinting, and microscopic photos and the confirmation of teratomas were made from the two stem cell lines," said the report.

Hwang and his research team claimed they had successfully cloned 11 different stem cells tailored to individual patients in this May, paving the way for future development of therapies for hard-to-cure diseases.

The panel indicated Hwang also exaggerated the success rate of his 2005 stem cell research, for much more than the 185 ova claimed in Hwang's paper had been used to produce the alleged 11 stem cell lines.

The panel's report further said it will conduct DNA analysis to determine whether the two stem cells were patient-tailored embryonic stem cells.

HWANG DELIVERS INTENTION TO RESIGN FROM PROFESSORSHIP

Hours after the report hit the headlines of local media, Hwang delivered his intention to give up his professorship at the SNU.

But he still insisted South Korean scientists hold the core technology of cloning the patient-tailored embryonic stem cells, pledging to prove it in future.

In late November, Hwang resigned from the post of head of the World Stem Cell Hub due to the ethical scandal involving his research.

Under mounting pressure, the 52-year-old clone expert confirmed media reports on Nov. 24 by admitting he used two fellow researchers' ova in his stem cell research in 2003.

GOVERNMENT BACK FROM SUPPORT OF HWANG

Expressing its sadness, the South Korean Ministry of Science and Technology said in a press release earlier in the day that it will retract funding towards Hwang's research.

Hwang was appointed as South Korea's first state-designated " supreme scientist" in June by the ministry this year, allowing him to receive 3 billion won (2.9 million US dollars) in research funds a year over the next five years.

Moreover, in the wake of the scandal, the ministry vowed to implement a set of measures, including the establishment of stricter research ethics guidelines.

However, it promised to continue helping the country's bioscience sector, including stem cell studies.

The scandal had already cast shadow over the head of the ministry, who has been under criticism of negligent supervision of Hwang's research work.

Although the government launched a monitoring team for Hwang's research in May last year, it has done nothing except holding one meeting in June this year.

DISAPPOINTMENT, ANGER, CONCERN PREVAILING IN S.KOREA

Many South Korean people watched the televised press conference held by the SNU ad hoc panel. They were again disappointed and angered with Hwang who earlier admitted error in his paper.

Before the authenticity controversy came to spotlight, local people widely viewed Hwang as national hero and symbol of hope for they thought Hwang made unprecedented success in the world.

People who suffered from hard-to-cure diseases such as diabetes and Parkinsonism have pinned their hopes for recovery on Hwang's embryonic stem cell research.

However, currently, they almost lost their hope due to Hwang's cheating behavior.

Local scientists also expressed concern that the scandal will affected South Korean scientific research gravely.

Scientists here said that the credibility of South Korean scientists has been tarnished and that local researchers would suffer when trying to submit papers to international journals and engage in international research projects.

Source: Xinhua