Controversial Korean scientist Hwang Woo-Suk: accusations that he fabricated stem cell experimental results have cast a shadow over Korean science.
The guidelines, the work of an international task force composed of experts in science and medicine, ethics and law from 14 countries, take into consideration the diversity of cultural, political, legal and religious perspectives surrounding embryonic stem cell research. The aim is to facilitate international collaboration by encouraging investigators and institutions to adhere to a uniform set of research practices.
George Daley of the Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, who chaired the task force, said this was an important move to prove self-governance could work. “We stand for the open exchange of scientific ideas to promote innovation and increase public benefit through global advances made possible by human stem cell research.”
The guidelines call on journal editors and grant agencies to require investigators to comply as a stipulation for publication or funding.
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