Stem Cell Tampering Claims Continue

Prosecutors recently obtained a statement claiming that stem cells that had not been growing well in a Seoul National University (SNU) veterinary college lab, grew well after being cultivated in MizMedi Hospital by researcher Kim Seon-jong. The statement also claims that the cells were then moved back to SNU.

The Seoul Central District public prosecutor’s office currently investigating the Hwang-Woo-suk paper fabrication case confirmed that Kwon Dae-ki (27), the head of a stem-cell research team under Hwang, told the above to the SNU investigation committee. Prosecutors are currently investigating the truth of his claims.

“Because the stem-cells at SNU were not growing well, Kim said he would bring them to MizMedi Hospital and cultivate them there,” Kwon said.

His statement implies that as stem cells were not growing well in the SNU lab, Kim switched them with fertilized egg stem cells at MizMedi Hospital.

Stem cells copied from somatic cells though nuclear substitution are harder to cultivate than fertilized-egg stem cells.

Regarding the suspicion that Kim attempted to kill himself by taking poison during his stay in the U.S. in November 2005, prosecutors have decided to ask the hospital that treated Kim in the U.S. to send Kim’s medical records, and have received written consent from Kim’s father which allows them to do so.

At that time, Kim’s attempted suicide was suspected of being linked to the stem-cell research fabrication scandal.

Prosecutors also say the investigation subject had dozens of phone conversations a day on what to tell investigators, even after their investigation began.

The prosecution will summon Lee Jeong-bok, the 11th author of the 2005 paper published in Science magazine who returned to Korea on January 22, for questioning. They also plan to question Park Eul-sun, the fourth author of the 2004 paper, around the New Year’s Day.

Tae-Hoon Lee jefflee@donga.com