By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The government has tentatively decided to disapprove human stem cell research by former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suck, who had shocked the nation in 2006 over his fabricated report on stem cell cloning.
Kim Soung-hee, minister of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said Thursday, ``The matter concerns trustworthiness. The one performing it should be sincere and honest enough to lead it,'' indicating Hwang is not entitled to the research.
The ministry will announce its final decision on Aug. 1.
Suam Bioengineering Research Institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, asked the government to approve its research on human embryonic somatic cells last year.
However, the National Bioethics Deliberative Council recently decided to reject Hwang's request and delivered it to Minister Kim, who is most likely to follow the council's suggestion. The Presidential advisory body members reportedly decided unanimously that Hwang is not the appropriate person to pursue the work as he is still on trial for his fabrication and embezzlement charges and that giving him another chance at this stage could be very risky.
``The members thought the approval could lead to another international embarrassment,'' a source inside the council revealed.
The ministry's movement is drawing attention since approval could draw criticism for indulging an unethical scientist while disapproval could infuriate Hwang's supporters who still believe he is the only one to make advances in stem cell cloning once again.
After the initial report, the ministry building was guarded by riot police against the possible ``attack'' from the Hwang supporters. Currently there are groups of such supporters holding protests to ``save'' Hwang everyday at the ministry.