An American stem cell expert has requested to have his name removed from the human cloning research team led by South Korean scientist Woo Suk Hwang, a study that is currently generating significant controversy.
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Professor Hwang Woo Suk and researcher Gerald Schatten at the press conference announcing the first cloned dog. |
In a letter to the journal Science, scientist Gerald Schatten from the University of Pittsburgh requested the journal to remove his name from the human cloning research group published by Woo Suk Hwang and his colleagues at Seoul National University in May 2005.
Gerald Schatten expressed his suspicions regarding the scientific report on human embryonic stem cells of which he was a co-author with the South Korean scientists, claiming it was “based on fabricated data“. He did not participate in the experiments but assisted in analyzing the results and writing the report.
“Last weekend, I received information from someone involved in the experiments that the databases presented in the report may be fabricated,” Schatten stated. However, he did not provide further comments on the matter.
Hwang and his team made history in 2004 when they announced the successful cloning of the first human embryo from embryonic stem cells for scientific and medical research purposes.
In May 2005, this group further announced they had cloned cells from a sick human, marking a significant advancement in the use of cells to study these diseases. In August 2005, they reported the successful cloning of the first dog, Snuppy.
The journal Science declined to remove Schatten’s name from the list of 25 authors of the aforementioned research. “When publishing this issue, Science was not aware of any scientist claiming that the data presented was fraudulent,” the journal stated.
The international scientific community has called for Professor Hwang to present his controversial research to independent analysts for verification of its authenticity.
Roe Jung-hye, an official at Seoul National University, reported on Monday, December 12, that experts at the university have initiated an investigation and are conducting DNA tests on the stem cells that Professor Hwang’s team has published.
In November, scientist Gerald Schatten announced the termination of his collaboration after 20 months of working with Professor Hwang Woo Suk’s research team following allegations (previously raised last year) that Professor Hwang used embryos from a graduate student in his group for stem cell research. This incident has sparked ethical debates surrounding stem cell research.
Also in November, Professor Hwang Woo Suk announced his resignation as head of the World Stem Cell Research Center (GSCH) after a scandal emerged regarding his use of eggs from two female colleagues for the research.
TUONG VY
