[Editorial] MBC Program Should Wait for Scholarly Review

In suggesting the possibility that research in patient-specific embryonic stem cells was falsified, MBC's program "PD Sucheop" cited two forms of basis for its claims. The first was the "serious testimony" of researchers and the second was that the DNA of a stem cell and did not match with its source. On Sunday those same researchers gave interviews in which they said the quotes attributed to them had been fabricated, and that PD Sucheop had told them that scientific articles in respected journals might be annulled, persons involved might be prosecuted, and that the program would guarantee researchers' protection. They are saying the program's staff used a combination of threats and conciliatory tactics to encourage forced answers to their questions.

The controversy over the authenticity of the stem cell research is going as far as it can go. Now all you have is collision and ruin. In addition to allegations about ethical violations and lies about research accomplishments, there are now allegations about concocting statements and intimidation. At this point, who will trust this country that had once been an epicenter of hope for people with incurable diseases? You even hear people asking if the researchers who had given the country so much pride will have to leave for elsewhere. That is not an unreasonable assumption when a big broadcaster has made an internationally recognized scientist into a liar and made them feel it was out to make their research out to be a fabrication.

Even before the situation came to this we called for the media to refrain from simple reproductions of stories describing allegations, for the public to refrain from engaging in a witch hunt, and for there to be strict and respectful evaluation of the research by a third party. PD Sucheop, however, failed to be prudent and went ahead with a press conference that brought the allegations into open public discussion. It ignored the pride and universal practices of verification shared by scientists. It is unreasonable to expect researchers to respond to every demand the media makes for verification and it is unreasonable for a scholarly journal to accept such demands after it has published the results following a process of verification. Hastily responding to such demands could make international journals ignore research by Korean scientists.

In addition, PD Sucheop's verification process had imperfections. It turns out that mistakes were made. If it wants to avoid further confrontations it will have to first find composure. It should support the re-evaluation of the research by approved methods by a body recognized by the bioscience community and then wait for the results.

The Hankyoreh, 5 December 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]