[Editorial] DNA Key to Seoul Nat'l University's Inquiry

Seoul National University (SNU) announced Monday that it will look into the veracity of an article on stem cells by professor Hwang Woo Suk and his team of researchers, and that may make it possible to finally put the exhausting controversy that overtook the whole country to rest. It will also be an opportunity to show the international scientific community that Korea has the ability to resolve any problems it has.

Subsequently that is why the inquiry needs to be prudent and precise, and yet also speedy as well. If by chance Pittsburgh University is first to complete its inquiry and if the results of that inquiry are disadvantageous to Hwang and his researchers, the effects could be serious. If the inquiry becomes drawn out the wild assumptions as to why that's the case might get out of hand. It also needs to be a swift process if researchers are going to be able to rid themselves of the allegations and devote themselves to research.

The need for speed means SNU's plans are somewhat problematic. The inquiry committee said it is going to start by analyzing the research notes and data and do interviews with researchers, and with the information so obtained look into questions about whether the pictures in the article are copies of each other and the legitimacy of the DNA's "fingerprint analysis." Only then, based on what it finds at that stage, will it decide on the next phase of the inquiry, which then might include DNA tests.

That step-by-step methodology does not seem so appropriate. Answering questions relating to the picture sand the fingerprint analysis is of course important, but the most central issue of all is the DNA of patients' somatic cells and the stem cells. Once that is resolved, any problems or mistakes committed in the course of writing the article become secondary issues. Leaving the key question to the sidelines while putting the greatest priority on something of lesser importance does not make sense, and, that being the case, they should at the very least work on both areas of doubt simultaneously. The DNA testing will have to be entrusted to an outside organization anyway, so once the proper organization is found it would only be a matter of days until SNU has an answer.

The whole controversy has been so terribly unscientific up to this point. SNU's inquiry has to be thoroughly scientific to counter that, and no one would be able to deny that the DNA testing would be the surest and most scientific approach.

The Hankyoreh, 13 December 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]