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Mixed Verdict Against Fake Korean 'Cloner'

Scientist who lied about stem cells gets suspended sentence

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 26, 2009 5:07 AM CDT

(AP) – The disgraced South Korean scientist who falsely claimed major breakthroughs in stem cell research in human clones was convicted of embezzlement and other charges, but was acquitted of fraud and received only a suspended sentence. Hwang Woo-suk was hailed as a national hero in 2004 for claiming in the journal Science that he had created the world's first cloned human embryos and had extracted stem cells from them. A university committee later found the report was fraudulent and the journal retracted his research.

Hwang Woo-suk, who falsely claimed to have achieved major breakthroughs in stem cell research on human clones, avoided jail as the court suspended a two-year prison term for him.
Hwang Woo-suk, who falsely claimed to have achieved major breakthroughs in stem cell research on human clones, avoided jail as the court suspended a two-year prison term for him.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Hwang Woo-suk leaves after his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, today.
Hwang Woo-suk leaves after his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, today.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Unaffiliated
Oct 26, 2009 11:43 AM CDT
I'd like to know how he thought he wouldn't be found out.
davjc09
Oct 26, 2009 8:25 AM CDT
His actions severely set back the scientific community. It was one of the last institutions where the 'honor code' actually applied and was followed.
sailor86
Oct 26, 2009 3:25 AM CDT
His wife may have been pregnant with twins.

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