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All seven Seoul National University professors involved in fabricating
the papers on stem cells the discredited cloning expert Hwang Woo-suk
published in the U.S. journal Science will be relieved of their duties,
a far harsher penalty than expected. They remain professors but cannot
lecture or supervise research. SNU president Chung Un-chan made the decision on Thursday after
being briefed on the findings of a disciplinary committee. The seven
will be relieved of their duties on Friday. The SNU professors listed as co-authors in Hwang's 2004 and
2005 Science papers are Lee Byung-chun and Kang Sung-geun (College of
Veterinary Medicine), Lee Chang-gyu (College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences), and Moon Shin-yong, Ahn Cu-rie, and Baek Sun-ha (College of
Medicine). The university president reportedly decided to bar them
because of suspicions that some researchers in SNU’s Veterinary College
are changing their testimony in a criminal investigation of the Hwang
scandal because of their relationship with these professors. SNU will
continue to discuss other disciplinary measures as requested by Chung
on Jan. 20, the university said. The committee is expected to take even harsher disciplinary
action against staff who actively colluded with Hwang in fabricating
research results. It is expected to announce its final decision by the
end of February. (englishnews@chosun.com )
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