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MBC earned a flood of complaints from supporters of Korean cloning
pioneer Prof. Hwang Woo-suk when it aired an investigative program
focusing on the ethics of occyte procurement for Hwang��s stem cell
projects on Tuesday night. The program, part of the regular ��PD Diary�� current affairs show,
reported in depth on revelations that a junior researcher in Hwang��s
team donated egg cells for a 2003 project and that women were paid for
their egg donations.
Following the broadcast, the homepage of PD Diary was flooded
with posts by around 6000 people voicing their opinions. The majority
of those who posted were critical of MBC with comments such as, "At
this point in time, reporting on suspicions about the origin of the egg
cells is a stupid mistake." Another said the most important thing was whether Hwang knew
that egg cells were acquired by potentially unethical means, but all
the program did was raise questions. ��It is wrong to make Hwang look
like a criminal by making unconfirmed claims look like known facts,��
one viewer said. Others were supportive of the show. ��Even though Prof. Hwang
brought about meaningful results that boosted national pride, it is
dangerous to think that sacrificing a few women [donors] is justifiable
for the benefits of the many,�� one said. ��Hwang should disclose the
truth now and proceed with his research transparently.�� The ��PD Diary�� producers said they agonized whether to air the
show, which they said was the outcome of several months of
investigation, but ��concluded we had to reveal our findings, not only
for the future of the Korean scientific world, but also to ensure that
the irrefutable facts are brought to light.�� Hwang is to announce his position imminently. It remains to be
seen if he can put an end to controversy increasingly pitting what some
see as the national interest against the public��s right to know. ([email protected] )
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