Famous Fraudster Gets a New Start in a South Korean Laboratory

The Chronicle:

Returning to the lab is Woo Suk Hwang, the South Korean scientist who first shocked scientists in 2005 by announcing that he had generated human stem cells from cloned human embryos and then fell from grace in 2006, when an investigation by his employer, Seoul National University, found that he had fabricated his data, and his important research papers were retracted. The Associated Press reported today that he had recommenced research in a private lab outside of Seoul, taking 30 colleagues with him.

They are continuing work on embryonic stem cells, according to the AP report, though not on human embryos, which the government has withdrawn permission to study. Dr. Hwang, whom the AP describes as “determined to make a comeback,” is also still fighting charges of fraud, embezzlement, and bioethics violations.