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A Seoul National University panel investigating stem cell research by
embattled cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk will delay its feverishly
anticipated final report until Jan. 10, fueling speculation that
independent institutes tasked with DNA analysis of two stem cells
created by Hwang have produced conflicting results. The panel last week
concluded that the two stem cells were all that existed of 11
patient-tailored stem cells Hwang claimed to have created in a project
written up in the magazine Science this year. The DNA tests were to
determine whether these two at least really were cloned from patients¡¯
somatic cells. In a press release Monday, the panel said it would draw up its
final report on the DNA analysis next week, to be announced by its
chairman Jeong Myung-hee. It added collecting all the DNA test results
will take more time. Kim Seon-jong, a former researcher in Hwang¡¯s team, told the
investigating committee during questioning on Sunday he was willing to
submit to a summons from prosecutors any time, it said. Kim, who
earlier admitted doctoring data at Hwang¡¯s behest, faces a grilling
from prosecutors after Hwang alleged the junior researcher swapped
cloned patient-specific stem cells created by the team with normally
fertilized stem cells from outside. (englishnews@chosun.com )
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