The Hwang Saga Continues: A Genetic Crossroads Exclusive
By Pete Shanks,
Genetic Crossroads
| 05. 12. 2006
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Seoul National University
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The downfall of South Korean cloning researcher Hwang Woo-Suk, formerly his country's "supreme scientist," continues to play out. Prosecutors have announced that Hwang and his associate Kim Sun-jong will be indicted on charges related to the unethical and illegal procurement of women's eggs. They are still considering criminal charges related to the scientific fraud itself and to embezzlement of government funds. Seoul National University (SNU) has announced that the buildings intended for the ill-fated World Stem Cell Hub, created by Hwang last fall, will now be used for a gene-therapy center focusing on work with adult stem cells.
CGS associate Pete Shanks visited Seoul in April to investigate the scandal further:
Seoul, the capital of South Korea is a huge, modern, vibrant megalopolis. "I didn't like California so much," commented one Korean activist, "Too slow. New York, that's more my speed."
South Korea as a whole is one of the most rapidly urbanizing countries on the planet - more than 80% urban, up from 57% 25 years ago. It has the 9th largest economy in the...
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