The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Sat, March 6, 2021 | 08:45
Business
Stem cell research loses footing in Korea
Posted : 2016-07-17 18:26
Updated : 2016-07-17 20:35
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Kim Tae-gyu

The Park Geun-hye administration gave the green light last week to stem cell studies using human eggs for the first time since its inauguration in early 2013, but the step has seemingly failed to make local scientists happy.

In particular, experts take issue with the decade-long ban on experiments with fresh human ova after the scandal involving former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk.

The National Bioethics Committee allowed CHA Medical Group to use around 600 human eggs by 2020 to establish cloned stem cell lines but they should be either frozen eggs or unhealthy ones.

"Leaders of stem cell research like the United States, Britain and Japan allow the use of fresh human eggs for therapeutic cloning," said Prof. Park Se-pill at Jeju National University.

"By contrast, we have been prohibited from doing so for the past 10 years after the 2005 scandal and that's why we are lagging behind. Without doing away with the restrictions, we won't be able to move forward."

In 2005, Hwang claimed to have extracted human stem cell batches from patients, which was then hailed as a scientific feat to help cure such degenerative disorders as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

But the work proved to be based on fabricated data and Hwang was found not to have built any patient-specific stem cell lines even after using more than 2,000 fresh eggs some of which were procured in ethically controversial ways.

After the unprecedented scientific scandal, which made Hwang an academic pariah, Korea introduced strict regulations on human stem cell studies and approved just one project in 2009 ― last week's endorsement marks the second.

While the country practically forbade stem cell research over the past decade, scientists in the U.S. and Japan have made major breakthroughs including the cloning of human embryonic stem cells, the exploit that Hwang fraudulently said to have achieved.

The CHA Medical team hopes to create universal donor stem cells, which can be compatible with anybody. They are a kind of off-the-shelf product made available to any patient in need; but the prospects may not be good.

"In cloning, the status of eggs is crucial. If you have to thaw frozen eggs, I bet you will fail," Park said. "It is not less than a miracle to make stem cells with frozen eggs, mostly leftovers from artificial insemination. You cannot hatch a chick from a rotten egg."

Park is a world-renowned embryologist. Another professor at a local university concurred.

"Korea should not be stuck in the past. It is time to look ahead, not behind. I do not understand why the health ministry and the bioethics committee do not change their stances at all," said the professor who asked not to be named.

"Otherwise, we will lose the opportunity to take the lead in potential-rich cell therapy. I think that stem cell research would be a model case of the so-called creative economy, the catchphrase of the incumbent administration. President Park should take action."

The science ministry has requested the bioethics committee and the health ministry to lift the long-standing embargo on study with fresh human eggs so that the country will be able to compete with global rivals.

President Park also suggested that research with fresh human ova should be permitted in a May meeting on deregulation this year but the relevant law has yet to be revised.

The creative economy refers to the major goals that the President aims to achieve over her five-year tenure by underpinning convergence between leading-edge technology and other businesses.

It was a basic economic tenet in her campaign platform and, after she took power, a dedicated ministry was created in 2013 for the purpose. But criticism has arisen that this attempt has not worked.

Emailkimtae-gyu@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
 
  • 279 caught for spreading disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Seoul encourages foreign residents to take COVID-19 tests
  • Medical experts warn against excessive fears of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Animal rights activists dump coconuts in front of Thai embassy, criticizing forced monkey labor
  • Fire engulfs old Buddhist temple in southwestern region
  • South Korea approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
  • [INTERVIEW] Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies
  • US International Trade Commission reaffirms ruling in favor of LG over SK in battery feud
  • Main opposition fails to capitalize on by-election advantage
  • Ruling party chairman egged by woman protesting new theme park project in Chuncheon
  • Stars accused of school bullying paying price Stars accused of school bullying paying price
  • Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects
  • Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action
  • Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use
  • K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination
DARKROOM
  • Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

    Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

  • Earth is suffering

    Earth is suffering

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright