[EDITORIAL]Roh`s science aide

The nation has been closely following Seoul National University`s investigation into the authenticity of Prof. Hwang Woo-suk`s stem cell research. The investigation panel plans to make public soon an "interim report" on its findings. It would be no exaggeration to say that all people will be riveted to what the investigation panel will say and show because so much is at stake - international confidence in Korean science, national pride, and the fate of patients suffering from as-yet incurable diseases.

In consideration of the gravity and complexity of the case, we have shared the view that all need to remain calm and wait until the SNU panel concludes its investigation. But there is something that can and needs to be done, regardless of the panel`s findings. President Roh Moo-hyun`s science aides should go.

Evidence of either negligence of duty or a possible cover-up by senior officials involved in Hwang`s research is already obvious. Moreover, the SNU investigation may lead to a wider government-level probe and the consequent intervention of law enforcement authorities. In fact, after raising the possibility that someone switched some stem cells from his lab, Hwang asked the relevant authorities last week to launch an investigation. A thorough, fair investigation will not be possible if government officials who worked closely with Hwang remain in their jobs.

The prime responsibility rests with Roh`s chief aide on science and technology, Park Ky-young, who has been the most active supporter of Hwang in the administration. The government increased its subsidizing of Hwang`s research project from 6.5 billion won last year to 26.5 billion won this year.

Along with Science and Technology Minister Oh Myung, Park cannot avoid any blame for the shortcomings of a system that oversees a project siphoning off such huge sums of taxpayers` money.

In addition, Park is the first government official who heard from Hwang about the contamination of six of the 11 patient-specific stem cells the scientist said he created. She did not report it either to the Ministry of Science and Technology or the president. Had Park taken proper actions at that time, in January, the situation would not have become as ugly as it is now. Also, Park did not take any steps when the journal Nature and an investigative reporting team of MBC TV raised suspicions about Hwang`s research.

It was also utterly inappropriate for Park to allow her to be listed as one of the co-authors of a 2004 research paper that Hwang`s team published in the journal Science. Park, a botanical scientist, says she had her name on the paper because she offered "advice on bioethics." Such advice should have come from other experts. One cannot but suspect that she just got a free ride on research that promised to gain world attention. It would have been better for Park to first think about her own ethics as a scientist and responsibilities as a civil servant.