Updated Dec.26,2005 19:54 KST

DNA Test Hiccups Delay Final Report in Hwang Probe
A Seoul National University panel investigating stem cell research by embattled cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk will delay its feverishly anticipated final report until Jan. 10, fueling speculation that independent institutes tasked with DNA analysis of two stem cells created by Hwang have produced conflicting results. The panel last week concluded that the two stem cells were all that existed of 11 patient-tailored stem cells Hwang claimed to have created in a project written up in the magazine Science this year. The DNA tests were to determine whether these two at least really were cloned from patients�� somatic cells.

In a press release Monday, the panel said it would draw up its final report on the DNA analysis next week, to be announced by its chairman Jeong Myung-hee. It added collecting all the DNA test results will take more time.

Kim Seon-jong, a former researcher in Hwang��s team, told the investigating committee during questioning on Sunday he was willing to submit to a summons from prosecutors any time, it said. Kim, who earlier admitted doctoring data at Hwang��s behest, faces a grilling from prosecutors after Hwang alleged the junior researcher swapped cloned patient-specific stem cells created by the team with normally fertilized stem cells from outside.

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