The Ministry of Education (MOE) is to assemble an investigative force to look into complaints by former female soccer players and students at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) regarding forced blood donations for a research project.
An investigation by the university confirmed that a coach on the university soccer team coerced team members to participate in a blood sampling research project, subjecting them to three-times-a-day blood drawing for periods of 14 consecutive days for years, by threatening to fail them if they did not comply. The project was conducted by the National Science and Technology Council (NTSC).
Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅) today met with Chien Chi-sheng (簡奇陞) and other student victims, who currently number six.
Photo: Lo Pei-te, Taipei Times
Three students have filed complaints while three others have been reported in the media, Chang said.
The MOE would have an evaluation meeting with NTNU president Wu Cheng-chih (吳正己), Chang said.
Other university administrative staff would go through the school’s evaluation committee, the results of which would be reported to the MOE, Chang added.
The MOE originally fined the university NT$1.1 million (US$33,687), as well as fined project head Chen Chung-ching (陳忠慶) and coach Chou Tai-ying (周台英) NT$500,000 each over violations of the Human Subjects Research Act (人體研究法).
However, given public reaction, the MOE would review its punishment standards for ethics violations.
The MOE task force would be headed by the MOE’s Administrative Deputy Minister Chu Chun-chang (朱俊彰), Chang said.
The task force would soon clarify what happened to the students’ blood, Chu said.
The MOE would also provide counseling and legal assistance for the victims, he added.
As for Chou, Chang said that the ministry would work with the Sports Administration to review and revoke her license.
Chou owes a “sincere apology” to many victims, Chien said, adding that she respects Chou’s contribution to female soccer in Taiwan and that the public should not harass Chou.
Chien called on anyone who was treated unfairly to lodge a complaint with the MOE and urged the ministry to respect the victims regarding the terms of compensation.
She also called for an independent and open investigation.
In an interview prior to the students meeting with the MOE, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) called on the ministry to investigate the scandal and cancel all blood research from NTSC.
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said that his ministry would review laws and regulations to protect students’ human rights and ensure mechanisms are strengthened.
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