It's a Case With Disgraced Scientist Hwang Woo-suk

   A South Korean court has finally convicted notorious veterinarian researcher Hwang Woo-suk in connection with his scientific work.

Photo: It's a Case With Disgraced Scientist Hwang Woo-suk

  Hwang Woo-suk was a professor of theriogenology and biotechnology at Seoul National University (dismissed on March 20, 2006) who became infamous for fabricating a series of experiments, which appeared in high profile journals, in the field of stem cell research.

    Until November 2005, he was considered one of the pioneering experts in the field of stem cell research, best known for two articles published in the journal Science in 2004 and 2005 where he fraudulently reported to have succeeded in creating human embryonic stem cells by cloning. Both papers were later editorially retracted after they were found to contain a large amount of fabricated data. He has admitted to various charges of fraud.

   On May 12, 2006 Hwang was "indicted on embezzlement and bioethics law violations linked to faked stem cell research." 

   The government has subsequently barred Hwang from conducting human cloning research.

   The Seoul Central District Court found the 56-year-oldthe South Korean scientist guilty at a hearing Monday. Hwang has been charged with accepting funds under false pretenses, embezzling and illegally buying human eggs for his research.

   Hwang will be sentenced at a later hearing. Prosecutors have demanded a four-year prison term for him.

  The Associated Press has contributed to the report.