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

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

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.

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

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

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

Donor Safety Willing hosts not informed of possible side-effects Why? 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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 ----- Meeting Notes (6/17/13 13:20) ----- too in third line

Conclusions Woo-suk committed 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

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.

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