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Stem cell pioneer Prof.
Hwang Woo-suk on Monday reiterated he strictly abided by government
ethical guidelines in his research, one day after a leading
collaborator abruptly ended their relationship over ethical concerns
about the human egg cells used in research. Hwang also expressed his
gratitude to the women who donated their eggs for research. Prof. Gerald Schatten of the University of Pittsburgh has pulled
out of the stem cell project saying the Korean scientist may have
engaged in unethical practices. Hwang made announcement in his first public appearance since
doubts over his team¡¯s occyte procurement surfaced, at a CNN press
conference at COEX Intercontinental Hotel in southern Seoul. ¡°I will
tell everything when the right time comes,¡± Hwang told over 100
reporters. In an apparent attempt to illustrate his team¡¯s commitment
to human life, the geneticist said, ¡°Even as we speak, at least one
researcher in our team is staying beside a cell incubator thinking how
lonely a cell that leaves its life in that incubator must feel.¡± Stem cell research is a revolutionary approach that could
potentially benefit the whole world and should be cultivated so its
fruits can be shared by all, Hwang said. A team member said researchers
will make an official announcement about their procurement of human ova
in two or three days. He added the very public split with the U.S.
scientist will not hamper Hwang¡¯s embryonic stem cell research and
other overseas scientists seem ready to continue the collaboration. (englishnews@chosun.com )
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