Image Source: MBC PD수첩, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Was the Accusation?
South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk became internationally prominent in 2004 and 2005 after his Seoul National University research team reported major breakthroughs in human embryonic stem-cell research. A 2004 paper in Science claimed that the team had created a human embryonic stem-cell line from a cloned blastocyst. A second Science paper in 2005 reported an even more significant achievement: 11 patient-specific embryonic stem-cell lines allegedly created through somatic cell nuclear transfer. If valid, the research appeared to demonstrate an important step toward producing genetically matched cells that might someday be used in regenerative medicine.
Hwang’s work first came under sustained criticism over the procurement of human eggs used in his experiments. Questions arose about whether members of his own laboratory had donated eggs and whether other donors had been paid. In November 2005, Hwang publicly acknowledged ethical problems surrounding the donations and resigned from positions associated with the World Stem Cell Hub. He maintained, however, that he had not coerced researchers into providing eggs. Seoul National University’s later investigation reported that a graduate student who donated eggs said Hwang had approved the donation and accompanied her to the hospital, and that his laboratory circulated consent forms seeking voluntary donations from female technicians.
The controversy then expanded from research ethics to scientific fraud. Questions about duplicated images and the authenticity of the reported stem-cell lines prompted Seoul National University to establish an investigative committee in December 2005. On December 23, the committee announced preliminary findings that data supporting the 2005 Science paper had been deliberately fabricated. Hwang apologized to the South Korean public and announced that he was stepping down as a professor, but he continued to insist that his laboratory possessed the underlying technology needed to produce patient-specific stem cells.
Seoul National University’s final report, released in January 2006, concluded that Hwang’s team possessed none of the 11 patient-specific stem-cell lines claimed in the 2005 paper. The committee found that the DNA fingerprinting results, photographs and other experimental evidence presented in that article had been fabricated. It also concluded that the stem-cell line described in Hwang’s 2004 Science paper had not been created through somatic cell nuclear transfer as reported. The committee characterized the fabricated publications as deception of both the scientific community and the public. It nevertheless confirmed a separate claim from Hwang’s laboratory: Snuppy, an Afghan hound reported in Nature, was genuinely a cloned dog.
On January 12, 2006, after the university’s final findings, Hwang appeared at a nationally televised press conference and again apologized. He accepted responsibility as first author for the use of false data and asked the public for forgiveness. At the same time, he argued that junior researchers at a collaborating hospital had deceived him about the cultivation of the stem cells, maintained that some research materials may have been switched, and continued to claim that his team possessed the technology necessary to create patient-specific stem cells. His response therefore combined an explicit apology and acceptance of supervisory responsibility with efforts to limit his personal responsibility for how the false experimental results were produced.
Excerpts from Hwang Woo-suk’s December 23, 2005 statement following Seoul National University’s preliminary findings:
“I sincerely apologise to the people for creating a shock and disappointment.”
“With an apologetic heart … I step down as professor.”
“I emphasise that patient-specific stem cells belong to South Korea and you are going to see this.”
Excerpts from Hwang Woo-suk’s January 12, 2006 press conference:
“I ask for your forgiveness.”
“I feel so miserable that it’s difficult even to say sorry.”
“The use of fake data … is what I have to take full responsibility for as first author. I acknowledge all of that and apologize once again.”
“I think we can create patient-specific stem cells in six months if eggs are sufficiently provided.”
“We believe they completely deceived [us] with their research results,” Dr Hwang said. “Relying on the role and responsibility of Mizmedi hospital, we trusted their reports 100%.”
“We were crazy, crazy about work,” he said. “I was blinded. All I could see was whether I could make Korea stand in the centre of the world through this research.”
