By Ranjan Bhaduri
Oct. 29, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Hwang Woo-suk, 56, has been given a two year sentence by Judge Bae Ki-yeol of Seoul Central District Court, for the embezzlement of funds and illegal trading in human embryos. The sum he ripped off the Government, in the form of grants has been huge, amounting to $700,000. Alongside, he also cheated a couple of companies off $2 million by his fraudulent claims, but this fact was overlooked by the court.

Hwang had become an acclaimed scientist when he claimed that he had grown stem cells from the world’s first human embryos, that had been cloned. This was seen as breakthrough since it could regenerate the tissues that had been destroyed by illness such as the Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease etc.

The prosecutor asked for a four year sentence when they charged him in the year 2006, but Hwang got away with two. That also has been suspended, given he can stay out of trouble for three years. Hwang was employed with the SNU or Seoul National University. All his claims have now been discredited by the University. The scientist had become quite legendary in South Korea, from where he originally hails. In front of the judge he claimed that he repents for his crime and was let out light.

Years ago when he was asked about the source of the eggs, he did not give direct answers, evading the questions. A report published in ‘Nature’ made the issue very public, and a student claimed that she donated her eggs to the doctor. Later in 2005, he was once again accused of illegally getting his eggs from somewhere, making him admit that his team members had donated their eggs.