SAN FRANCISCO, 10:49 AM, SAT JUL 5 | 4 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@io9.com | RSS
« next »

Outlaw Stem Cell Hacker Tries to Go Straight

repli-kate.jpg Hwang Woo-Suk, the stem cell researcher whose scientific papers were revealed as frauds over two years ago, has quietly been applying for permission to get back into stem cell research again in South Korea. Hwang is still up on charges of fraud, embezzlement and ethical breaches after he claimed (falsely) that he'd created the first human stem cells via cloning. There were also shenanigans in his lab involving the lady researchers being forced to donate their eggs for experiments. Officials in Seoul, where Hwang applied for his research permit, have until next month to make a decision about whether to grant it. [AFP]

4:30 PM on Wed Jan 2 2008
By Annalee Newitz
476 views
5 comments

Comments

  • Image of 92BuickLeSabre 92BuickLeSabre at 04:51 PM on 01/02/08
    Reply by Email
    *

    As a general rule, I have found it more productive to fully evaluate past charges of fraud, embezzlement and ethical breaches before providing opportunities for future ones.

    But you know, that may just be me.

  • Image of aspiringexpatriate aspiringexpatriate at 04:55 PM on 01/02/08
    Reply by Email
    *

    Surely you can persecute for more than fraud if he forced female lab workers to donate eggs. I mean, that's got to fit some form of sexual harassment.

  • Image of ExtensionOfBob ExtensionOfBob at 08:29 PM on 01/02/08
    Reply by Email

    While I for one am absolutely disgusted and infuriated by this guy's falsities, but he did accidentally accidentally accomplish something and I do think he may still have something to offer to the scientific community if he changes his ways.

    He's no football player. I'm willing to quasi-forgive (but never forget? or forget but not forgive?) his past indiscretions in the name of advancing science.

  • Image of ExtensionOfBob ExtensionOfBob at 08:30 PM on 01/02/08
    Reply by Email

    @Extensionofbob: Except for that whole mistreatment of his inferiors and forcing the donation of eggs. I am 150% not willing to forgive OR forget that.

  • Image of freznel freznel at 07:50 AM on 01/03/08
    Reply by Email

    @Extensionofbob: Forgetting is definitely out of the picture. :) But then again, he really may have something more to offer. I vote for giving him the permit. But on stricter and more monitored conditions.

Start a discussion:

Reply by Email

Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.