South Korea to resume human egg cloning

SEOUL, March 23 (UPI) -- South Korean scientists plan to resume experiments with cloned human embryos next year, it was reported Thursday.

But the two-year ban continues for experiments with fresh human eggs. Only eggs left over from operations for test-tube babies will be available, the Korea Times said.

The National Bioethics Committee decided Friday to permit restricted cloned stem cell research in 2008 after 12 of its 20 members voted for the measure.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will revise relevant regulations and pick institutes for the research.

After the scandal involving disgraced veterinarian Hwang Woo-suk and his fabricated feats erupted in late 2005, stem cell research with cloned human embryos has been virtually forbidden.