Related: Hwang Woo-suk expresses intention of resignation of professorship

    

Reporters ask South Korean stem-cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk questions as he leaves his office at the Seoul National University, December 23, 2005. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Xinhuanet  By Wang Mian) -- 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 publis hed in May this year in the journal Science.

    The tentative conclusion was made by a special panel of the SNUin 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. ¡¡