In light of the revelations, the panel said it would now also investigate Hwang's other landmark papers -- which include another Science article last year on the world's first cloned human embryos, and an August paper in the journal Nature on the first-ever cloned dog. The journals already are reviewing all the work.
Professor Alan Trounson, a top stem-cell researcher at Australia's Monash University, said the scandal showed scientists were rigorously checking one another's results. But he predicted the fallout would also stain any other scientists linked to Hwang's work, also saying that the South Korean's claim to have cloned a dog was ``very much in doubt now.''
South Koreans reacted with sorrow, shock and shame as the scientist they once hailed as a national hero resigned from his post.
"This is our shame," said Oh Chang-hwan, a senior consultant at SK Securities.
negative impact
"This case will have a negative impact on the confidence of Korean science. More importantly, it will deprive the disabled of their hopes that they may be able to recover some day with the help of Professor Hwang's breakthroughs," Oh said.
Hwang's research was billed as fulfilling one of the basic promises of embryonic stem-cell science -- growing patient-specific tissue that could be transplanted to repair damaged body parts.
South Korea even commissioned stamps highlighting the potential of Hwang's research that showed a person rising from a wheelchair, standing and embracing a loved one.
"The disabled who had hopes for Dr. Hwang's research will be unhappy with the results," said Kim Ji-min, 28, an office worker.
Also see story:
Sooner or later, the dilemmas of embryo research will hit home
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