Embattled South Korean stem cell pioneer Hwang Woo-suk left a hospital yesterday and made a tearful return to work after being treated for extreme stress brought on by an ethics scandal over his groundbreaking research.
Meanwhile, Hwang's university launched an investigation yesterday into a controversy over the veracity of his work.
Hwang, who gained international renown for cloning the world's first human embryos and extracting stem cells from them, had been hospitalized since Wednesday.
Ahn Cu-rie, Hwang's physician and research partner, said she asked Hwang to return to the hospital late yesterday for more treatment, but it remained unclear whether he planned to follow her advice.
Hwang wept and hugged some of the 50 students and researchers who assembled to welcome him back to his office at the Seoul National University yesterday, Yonhap news agency reported.
"I am sorry for causing anxiety to the public," Hwang said.
Hwang vowed to continue with his stem cell research and to cooperate in the university's investigation into his research.
Hwang is considered a national hero in South Korea for his pioneering research.
But the scientist has recently been questioned over ethical lapses, and he publicly apologized last month after admitting that, despite earlier denials, he used eggs donated by two junior female scientists in his lab.
He also stepped down as head of the World Stem Cell Hub, an international project launched in October aimed at finding treatments for incurable diseases.
In an interview with TV network KBS, Hwang said he would still make South Korea a global center for stem cell research.
Hwang's work came under question after he said an editing error led to some duplicate images of stem cell colonies being submitted to the US journal Science.
The journal's editors have said the mistake doesn't affect the validity of the findings.
However, South Korean media reports have quoted an unnamed scientist at the University of Pittsburgh, whose scientists previously collaborated with Hwang, alleging they were deliberately fabricated.
Seoul National University said yesterday it would select an expert panel to conduct an internal investigation of Hwang's work.
Roe Jung-hye, dean of research affairs, said the probe was expected to focus on the allegations of fabricated photos along with DNA tests on cloned cells that Hwang's team created.
"I think all these controversies are the pain all of us pay to ensure our society, and especially science and technology, enters into [a] mature and advanced society," she said.
On Sunday, Hwang asked the university to conduct the probe and said he was willing to provide Science with more data from his research to prove its authenticity, if requested.
Roe said the panel will be selected from within the university, but would consult with outside experts if needed.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology said it would not intervene in the probe and voiced concern that the investigation could delay Hwang's research.
"We hope that everything will be cleared up through discussions to establish facts, and normal research activity will be put back on track," said Kim Young-sik, director general of the ministry's basic research bureau.
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