Korean scientist resigns over fake stem cell research

Korean scientist resigns over fake stem cell research

Associated Press
Friday December 23, 2005

A scientist today issued an apology as he resigned from South Korea's top university after the school announced he had fabricated results in stem cell research that had raised hopes of new cures for hard-to-treat diseases.

A panel at the university, releasing initial findings of a investigation, accused Hwang Woo-Suk of damaging the scientific community with his deception, while the South Korean government threatened to pull its funding for his research.

"I sincerely apologise to the people for creating a shock and disappointment," Prof Hwang told reporters as he was leaving his office at Seoul National University, considered the country's top institution of higher learning.

"With an apologetic heart ... I step down as professor," he said. It is Prof Hwang's second apology in as many months. In November he apologised for "ethical lapses" in his work after it emerged that female researchers in his laboratories had donated their own eggs for experiments.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1673483,00.html

that he could get the results in the reports. I think this guy somehow thought he was close and published fake results believing he would have them by the time the paper came out?!?! Trust me, I am not advocating this, just trying to understand. :shrug:

You do not publish results you think you might get one day.

specifically, psychology - so I am always trying to understand 'why' people do what they do. Including why do people cheat - what pressures, what sort of ego - would make someone do something so obviously unacceptable?

Why do people neglect or abuse their children? Why does a man rape a woman? Why do soldiers torture other human beings? All clearly, outrageously unacceptable...

:hi:

The two most prestigious journals to publish in. He also got a lot of grant money for his research. Fame, money, greed-I think his motives are not that hard to understand.

:think:

or he would have to fall on his sword. In China the government would have him executed.