[Editorial] Learning lessons in stem cell research ethics from clone scientist Hwang Woo-suk

The first sentences in a case against former Seoul National University Professor Hwang Woo-suk, who became famous four years ago over allegations of falsifying content in a paper on cloning and embryonic stem cell research, were handed down yesterday. The trial began three years and five months ago. The Seoul Central District Court found Hwang guilty of both accepting government-sponsored research fees under false pretenses and illegally harvesting human eggs. The Seoul Central District Court acquitted him of charges of fraudulently raising funds from private organisations.

This incident that sent the whole nation into an uproar in late 2005, cannot be viewed simply from a lens of scientific controversy. It is an incident that combines political and economic interests together with emotions, including rosy expectations for scientific accomplishments and hope for patients suffering from intractable diseases. As a result, the controversy not only snowballed, but also looks unlikely to settle down with this verdict.

However, at this point, we need to bring the controversy to a close by objectively reflecting on the issues this incident raises. These issues include scholarly research ethics, attempted use of science for political ends, the rash decision to weigh research activity in terms of economic gains, and the entire nation��s prestige and identification with scientific accomplishments.

First, even if Hwang was not the one who directly fabricated the research findings, he did serve as the research head and cannot disavow all responsibility. In the scientific world, this is a matter of commonsense. Moreover, rather than simply blaming Hwang as an individual, we should see this case as an opportunity to set our collective research ethics right. In South Korea, where plagiarism controversies are a frequent occurrence, this seems particularly fitting.

Second, we need to re-examine attempts by politicians and the media that have instilled fantasies in the public about stem cell research for political gain, and promising huge economic benefits to the country. Large-scale scientific studies these days require huge amounts of funding. The importance of political support and sponsorship has been highlighted, and as such, it is difficult for scientific research to avoid some degree of politicization. However, as this incident shows, the pressure to produce results in order to generate political support sometimes does damage to the research itself.

This is an unfortunate and regrettable incident, both for Hwang as an individual and for South Korean society as a whole. If we can set our research ethics culture right and reflect seriously on the excessive politicization of science, this can mark a new beginning in our record of scientific achievement. Instead of focusing on any one aspect of this incident, we look forward to more active debate and concern about the advancement of science.

Source: The Hankyoreh