Hwang Woo-suk

Hwang and his team published in Science what was presented as a world first: a human embryonic stem cell line derived through nuclear transfer. The subsequent SNU investigation concluded that the essential data in this publication had been fabricated.

The cloning of the Afghan hound Snuppy underwent independent verification and was not invalidated. SNU's investigation explicitly distinguished this genuine success from the fraud involving human stem cells.

The SNU committee examined the cell lines, images, DNA and laboratory data and concluded that the central claims of the 2004 and 2005 papers were fabricated. The report distinguished the authenticity of Snuppy.

Person targeted by the proceedings

Seoul National University

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Following the SNU report, Science retracted both publications, stating that a substantial amount of data had been fabricated and their results should be regarded as invalid.

The national committee concluded that the team had used more than 2,221 eggs, far exceeding the figures initially acknowledged, and that junior female researchers had been pressured to donate their eggs; many donors had not received sufficient information about the risks.

State of the evidence

Documented

SNU dismissed Hwang and the authorities withdrew the authorisation required for embryonic stem cell research, as the retractions prevented him from meeting the regulatory requirements concerning recent publications.

Attribution

Directly implicated

The 2005 paper announced eleven patient-specific stem cell lines with remarkable efficiency. SNU's internal investigation initially showed that only two lines physically existed, then established that none matched the patients claimed.

Hwang acknowledged that his research had used eggs from two junior researchers and paid donors. He stepped down from his government and public roles and from the World Stem Cell Hub.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated

Shortly after publication of his research, Nature reported concerns that eggs had come from junior members of his team and possibly paid donors. Hwang initially denied that his students had donated eggs.