Woo- suk’s Stem Cells

1. Woo-suk’s Stem Cells Evan Perez, Ann Peterson, Stephen Ratvasky, Lauren Shober, Jarred Stratton http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/150pxhwangwoo.jpg http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/j/ap/sel10412160303.grid-6x2.jpg

2. Background Information • Hwang Woo-suk • PI at Seoul National University • Successfully cloned dog, showing techniques had validity • Major funding from South Korean government • Major paper published in Science in 2005 • Embryonic cell lines from human blastocysts • Great advance in treatment possibility http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10826359/ns/health-cloning_and_stem_cells/t/journal-retracts-disgraced-stem-cell-papers/#.Ub5WN_aY70s

3. Background Information • Accused of scientific misconduct • Investigation launched by Seoul National University • Focused on 2004 and 2005 Science Publications • Results of investigation http://www.uni.edu/studyabroad/sites/default/files/Seoul%20National%20University.

4. Ethical Concerns • Use of Embryonic Stem Cells • Use of Cells from a fellow researcher/donors not told of possible dangers of procedure • Falsification of data http://www.acfe.com/ethics-and-compliance.aspx

5. Use of Embryonic Stem Cells • Highly contested topic • Harvest of cells from living fetus causes termination • Some people believe that terminating the life of a fetus is immoral • Why not use stem cells from adults? • Fetal Stem Cells have a higher potency than adult stem cells • Can differentiate into a broader range of cells – seemingly more possibility for use in regenerative medicine http://danabush15.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/stem-cell.jpg

6. Use of Researcher’s Ova • Research was done on ova (eggs) from members of the research group • Claimed unpaid; actually paid • Coercion • Paper claimed 185 ova, laboratory notes showed 273

7. Donor Safety • Willing hosts not informed of possible side-effects • Some women had problems after the procedure • Why? • Lack of resources • “’We needed a lot of ova for the research but there were not enough ova around’” – Woo-suk

8. Falsification of Data • Made claims that he had no data to support • Claimed multiple cell lines; only one • Photographs of same cell line, passed off as multiple • Fabricated DNA fingerprinting data • Lying, in itself, is immoral • Used this data to apply for grants • Wrongfully won this money - embezzlement Woo-Suk, et al. Science. 17 June 2005.

9. Consequences of Misconduct • February 9, 2006 • Hwang is suspended from research within the university without pay • March 20, 2006 • Hwang is relieved of his professor position at Seoul National University • South Korea prevented Woo-Suk from resigning for investigative purposes http://www.solarnavigator.net/images/human_clone_pioneer_hwang_woo_suk_genius_time_magazine_cyber_wars.jpg

10. Consequences of Misconduct • May 12, 2006 • Woo-Suk indicted on charges of fraud, embezzlement, and (the most important) bioethical violation • Took 2.8 billion won ($3 million) for illegal ova and personal use • Serious crimes not only in ethics but are very serious felonies in the court of law

11. Consequences of Misconduct • Woo-Suk sentenced to two years (suspended) prison term • October 26, 2009 • 6 months of term was removed from an appeals court in South Korea • Embezzlement and bioethical misconduct • Fraud was dropped from the charges http://www.northlandchurch.net/_pdf/homework/jail_photo.jpg

12. Recommendations: Actions that should have been taken • Informed consent • Schatten should have had been involved • Closer peer review • Researchers should have reported ethical breaches • Greater governmental supervision

13. Prevention:How we can stop Fraudulent Research • Proper reporting of potential fraudulence and data falsification • Ensure accuracy of coauthors data • Increased skepticism when evaluating groundbreaking research • Mandatory informed consent • Barring of donation by researchers

14. Lessons Learned: Where to go from here • Increased attention to ethics and validity of data • Ability of scientists to police self • Importance of whistleblowers • Ambition can go too far • Importance of honesty

15. Conclusions • Woo-sukcommitted multiple ethical breaches • Punished for these breaches • Actions by others could have prevented breaches from occurring • Many ways we can prevent these type of breaches • Important lessons can be drawn from this case

16. References • Hwang, Woo Suk, et al. "Evidence of a Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line Derived from a Cloned Blastocyst." Science 303.5664 (2004): 1669-74. Web. • Hwang, Woo Suk, et al. "Patient-Specific Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from Human SCNT Blastocysts." Science 308.5729 (2005): 1777-83. Web. • "Text of the Report on Dr. Hwang Woo Suk." 2006.Web. 13 June 2013 <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/09/science/text-clonereport.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>. • Raiciu, Tudor. "Scientific Scandal in South Korea." 2005.Web. <http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scientific-Scandal-in-South-Korea-15020.shtml>. • "Disgraced Korean Cloning Scientist Indicted". New York Times. May 12, 2006.

17. Questions http://ncncs.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethics.jpg