South Korean stem cell success 'faked'

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Seoul National University Professor Hwang Woo-suk, a famed South Korean stem cell research pioneer, has reportedly admitted publishing faked studies.

Roh Sung-il, chairman of Mizmedi Hospital in Seoul and a co-author of the study, told South Korean reporters Hwang has admitted major flaws in the research, published in June and praised internationally.

Last month, Hwang resigned from his post as head of the World Stem Cell Hub after it was revealed some of the eggs used in his research were donated by his staff -- a contravention of international guidelines.

Roh told reporters Thursday at least nine of 11 stem cell lines claimed to have been produced from cloned human embryos and used in a landmark research paper had actually been faked, the BBC reported, noting Roh said Hwang has asked the U.S. journal Science to retract his paper.

Hwang is said to be hospitalized for stress.

Earlier this week, University of Pittsburgh biologist Gerald Schatten asked his name be removed from the paper, citing doubts over the accuracy of the work.

The stem cell technique being pioneered by Hwang could lead to possible cures for diseases including diabetes and Parkinson's, the BBC said.