Author : Song Sang-yong

Summary : The recent Hwang Woo-Suk scandal in stem cell research ranks among one of the biggest considering its scope and impact. In 2004, Hwang surprised the world by establishing a stem cell line from a cloned blastocyst. Another breakthrough in the following year consisted in making the patient-specific embryonic stem cells which made him rise to international stardom. It is not true that there was no ethical backlash to Hwang's research. The Catholic Churc, NGOs and bioethicist were outspoken critics of Hwang from the outset. The Korean government should bear the main responsibility for the Hwang scandap. Distortion and exaggeration in the reports of the irresponsible media agggravated the situation. Scientism and crude nationalism are also to be blamed. Asia has a deep-rooted tradition of scientism which has lasted for more than a century. In the nineteenth century Asia was overrun by Western imperialism. Asian countries had to make desperate attempts to survive the challenge. After the liberation in 1945, "nation building with science and technology" has been the national motto of Korea. Scientism continues to be paramount in Korea.