South Korea's Disgraced Scientist Goes Into Pet-Cloning Business

SEOUL, South Korea —  Disgraced South Korean stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk has set up a bio-technology firm specializing in cloning pet animals, a scientist close to Hwang said Wednesday.

Hwang, whose breakthrough human cloning research was later proved to be faked, recently established a new research firm in Seoul, said Park Se-pill, a Cheju National University professor and well-known stem cell scientist. Park said he spoke with Hwang a few days ago.

"He told me that he needs foreign capital to continue his research, but it's difficult to get it unless he sets up a new research institute and becomes its head," Park said.

Last month, the Korean Customs Service unveiled seven cloned Labrador retrievers being trained near Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to sniff out drugs and explosives.

The cloning work was conducted by a team of Seoul National University scientists who in 2005 successfully created the world's first known dog clone, an Afghan hound named "Snuppy."

The team is led by Professor Lee Byeong-chun, who was a key aide to Hwang.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency...