Top > World > 2005 > December > 2005-12-27

Korea Under Science Microscope

For months, South Koreans basked in the glory of a scientist whose renown seemed to show the world they could achieve the same stunning success in scientific research as in commerce and manufacturing. Now, however, the revelation of errors and distortions in what had appeared as an epochal breakthrough in the cloning of human stem cells has shocked the country. Probing questions are being asked here about creativity and innovation in a society dominated by a traditional seniority system and demands for immediate commercial success.

At the center of the debate is veterinary surgeon Hwang Woo-Suk, who gained superstar status among Koreans in 2004 when he announced that he had cloned stem cells from humans. "I was so shocked," says Chang Sung Eun, a marketing manager. "Who could imagine they would produce false reports in a world-known magazine? All people say it`s a shame for Korea."

Also, Korean laboratory chiefs are notorious for demanding loyalty from juniors - and taking credit for papers they may have only read briefly. Papers are often signed by multiple contributors, some of whom the lead scientist recognizes as a collegial favor. "You have to do whatever the lab chief says," says a young graduate student in a university laboratory. "You have no power over anything even if you do all the work. I know what happens in my lab, and I can see what happened under Dr. Hwang."