News,

A panel from Seoul National University has found that disgraced South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk faked two studies in which he claimed that he had successfully cloned human embryonic stem cells. The investigators said that the data in the papers was deliberately fabricated and that there was no proof that Hwang had ever created the cloned stem cell lines. However, they concluded that his claim to have created the world's first cloned dog was correct. [CNN, 10 January] The results of the investigation confirm accusations of fabricating evidence made by Hwang's colleagues in December. The report concluded: "This conduct cannot but be seen as an act that fools the whole scientific community and the public." [Sky News, 10 January]

The cross-party group, Dying Well, has said that they will oppose any change in the Parliamentary law to legalise assisted suicide or euthanasia and has called for better care for the dying. The chairman, Frank Field, said: "Many people are not receiving the care which they need - and deserve - to enable them to have peaceful and natural deaths." [BBC News, 10 January]

American researchers claim that they have successfully treated a blood disorder using mouse embryonic stem cells. A team of scientists from the University of California corrected the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell anaemia using stem cells taken from embryonic mice. They intend eventually to alter genetically embryonic stem cells from cloned embryos created with the patient's own DNA, and transplant them back into the patient, correcting their sickle cell anaemia. [BBC News, 10 January]

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