What's next for Korean stem cell research?

Supporters for Hwang Woo-suk are yeling in protest of the release of the Prosecutor‘s investigations into Hwang‘s stem cell research on May 12.

In the wake of Friday's disclosure of the prosecution's findings on former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk, there is renewed interest in what the future holds for Korean stem cell research. There is also the question of whether Dr. Hwang will resume his own research.

A pair of supporters recently pledged to give Dr. Hwang 60 billion won (60 million USD) to continue his research, and Dr. Hwang himself expresses a strong desire to resume his research, even if the fierce court battles that lie ahead will make that difficult in the immediately foreseeable future. The general view is that once the legal process is over, Dr. Hwang will attempt to continue. "In the end, he still possesses world-class technological know-how," said one stem cell expert. "So he will resume his research."

It is also expected that others in the field will continue as well, despite recent setbacks. Following the prosecution's announcement on Friday, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued a formal statement of regret regarding the case. But it also said it intends to continue providing support to bioengineering research and will soon establish comprehensive plans for promoting stem cell research in Korea. Highly active research in advanced countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States appears to have contributed to the ministry's decision.

Experts in embryonic stem cell research who do not use live human eggs also say they are going to move ahead. "Forming stem cells from frozen embryos does not conflict with the 'life ethics law,' " says Maria Bioengineering Research Center director Bak Se-pil. "And research using that method will likely see further development." Similar research is also being carried out at Pochon Cha University.

Meanwhile, academic and religious leaders are questioning any research that uses human ova or embryos.

In February the National Life Ethics Commission confirmed that Dr. Hwang had violated ethical guidelines on the use of human eggs, and, given that the subsequent falsification of data left no valid results to show for the use of the eggs, it formally recommended a full review of their use in scientific research. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Friday it would like to see discussion about ethical issues now that the prosecution's investigation is over. In addition, some members of the academic community are questioning the value of stem cell research, noting that Dr. Hwang used thousands of ova yet was unable to produce any sound results.