Potential stem cell trouble in South Korea

Posted by Jesse Reynolds March 18, 2009
Biopolitical Times

A team of researchers in South Korea has applied for approval to conduct cloning-based stem cell research. The concerns this raises should be placed in a wider context.

Three years ago, the scientific world was rocked when stem cell researcher Hwang Woo Suk was revealed as a fraud. Not only did he falsify the data which supported his claim of deriving stem cell lines via cloning (a feat that still hasn't been accomplished), he also obtained over two thousand human eggs unethically (putting several women in the hospital with adverse reactions to their extraction) and embezzled much of his grant support.

In reaction, stem cell research policies in South Korea, where Hwang was based, were tightened. After some deliberation, policy makers decided that cloning-based stem cell research would only be permitted for work on serious, incurable diseases.  They also ruled that the human eggs needed for cloning  would be limited to those deemed unfit for fertilization, or those leftover from fertility treatments. Either way, the eggs are not to be purchased. Finally, they required that the National Bioethics Committee approve any such research.

Hwang has applied to the Committee to proceed with cloning-based stem cell research, but it looks like he has been, or will be, denied. However, researchers led by Chung Hyung-min at the CHA Medical Center have also applied, and it looks like approval is imminent. The Committee previously delayed a decision, citing an inadequate application.

While the need to clear such controversial work with an oversight body is partially reassuring, this detail  in particular is disturbing:

According to Cha officials, bio ethicists had ordered the hospital to tone down the titles of some subjects that could invite ``excessive expectations,'' reduce the amount of 1,000 eggs it planned to obtain and include an outside member in its institutional review board. ...

``We will reduce the number of eggs to about 300,'' the official said.

Eggs are typically not leftover during fertility treatments unless the prospective parents agree to donate some to research beforehand. Although this is generally preferable to advertisements of financial inducements, it too creates potential conflicts of interests. Larger doses of hormones increase both the number of eggs and the likelihood and severity of side effects. Who is counseling the prospective parents? Does the fertility doctor have a professional or personal stake in the stem cell research? If the eggs come from a woman other than the intended mother, was the egg provider paid, which is permitted in South Korea in the fertility context? Who decides which eggs are unable to be fertilized?

Furthermore, the CHA team is arguing - inaccurately - that the change in US federal stem cell policy means that Washington will soon be supporting cloning-based stem cell research.

However, with the new U.S. government deciding to lift the country's restrictions on federal funding for new stem cell research, Korean regulators are feeling increasing pressure to do the same for researchers here.

A CHA team previously applied for funding for cloning-based work from the California stem cell research agency. The application was initially approved, despite reviewers characterizing it as "overly ambitious." But a number of concerns were raised, including previous problems with acquiring eggs at the CHA fertility clinic. The application was voluntarily withdrawn.

Previously on Biopolitical Times: