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Although controversy surrounding South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-Suk¡¯s recent stem cell scandal has stalled expansion to the United States and the United Kingdoms, top researchers of both countries say that stem cell research won¡¯t be seriously disrupted by the incident.
The scandal started two weeks ago when Gerald Schatten, partner of Hwang and a prominent researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, abruptly ended his two year collaboration with Dr. Hwang and released a statement questioning the circumstances under which the eggs had been obtained.
Dr. Hwang apologized last week for lying about the fact that eggs were from workers in his own lab and some eggs were paid for. Though neither was illegal at the time, Hwang has claimed that all eggs were donated and did not come from workers. He said last week that he would step down as head of the Seoul-based World Stem Cell Hub, an international collaboration through which he intended to set up centers in both London and California.
Scientists say that although this controversy may delay the spread of Hwang¡¯s techniques temporarily, it is unlikely to have a major impact on either research involving cloning or on stem cell work in general.
Stem cell researcher Robin Lovell-Badge, head of developmental genetics at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, quoted, "It may slow it down just a little bit, but it'll just be done another way. Technology spreads fast." Plans for the Hub in Britain were unknown, but scientists say Hwang has already shared much of his knowledge with other researchers and the impact is expected to be minimal, even if the multi-country center doesn't get off the ground.
Meanwhile, Koreans rallied behind Dr. Hwang, and hundreds of women have offered to donate their eggs for research. In the last week, about 760 South Korean women have registered to donate eggs.
Also, public anger spiked after a television investigative documentary program critically investigated shortcuts taken to obtain the human eggs. Within days of the broadcast, 11 of the program's 12 sponsors have been reported to pull their advertising.
With the optimism of the scientists, and the support of the Korean people, it looks as if the future for Hwang¡¯s research still remains quite bright. As quoted by Stephen Minger, director of the stem cell laboratory at King's College in London, "What happened in Korea is distressing, but I don't think it has any major ramifications on the field."
Though Dr. Hwang¡¯s fabrications of the origin of the cells and the content of the ensuing scandal clearly are shaky in several ethical standards, his research seems to be beneficial for humans in several ways. The cloning of human cells is predicted to help several disabled or ill patients. Scientists hope that through cloning, they will be able to create tissue that could repair damaged spinal cords or reverse Alzheimer's disease. Looking at the possible treatments that can be made true through Dr. Hwang¡¯s research, we can definitely say that the effects can ensure a better future. All we can do now is hope that this current scandal will subside quickly and the research in this field can continue in the future.
< References >
* Faiola, Anthony and Cho, Joohee. ¡°S. Korean Stem Cell Expert Apologizes for Ethical Breach.¡± Washington Post 25 Nov. 2005: A24
* Park, Alice. ¡°Dogged Pursuit¡±. TIME November 28, 2005: 42-45
* Kiessling, Ann and Anderson, Scott C. Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2003
* Turksen, Kursad. Adult Stem Cells. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 2004
* National Institutes of Health. ¡°Research Ethics and Stem Cells [Stem Cell Information]¡±. 29 November 2005. NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. 30 November 2005
< http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/ethics.asp >
* ¡°StemCellular: Professor Hwang Woo-suk Archives¡±. 26 October 2005. StemCellular. 30 November 2005
< http://www.stemcellular.com/archives/people/scientists/professor_hwang_woo-suk/index.php >
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