Jan 16, 2006, 15:38 GMT
Seoul - South Korean prosecutors on Monday questioned members of the team that worked with disgraced scientist Hwang Woo Suk, who has admitted fabricating stem-cell research.
South Korean stem cell pioneer Hwang woo-suk leaves a press conference in Seoul, South Korea. Thursday 12 January 2006. EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Media reports said investigators interviewed seven research assistants at Seoul National University and a clinic that supplied human eggs to Hwang's team.
Prosecutors are gathering information to determine whether Hwang or any of his associates should face criminal charges arising from the scandal.
The probe was launched after a Seoul National University panel investigating Hwang concluded he had never cloned human embryos and had fabricated results for two landmark papers published in the journal Science.
The 53-year-old scientist publicly apologised last Thursday for his actions, but said his assistants were to blame for manipulating the research, which was published in 2005.
'I ask for your forgiveness,' he told a televised press conference in his first public appearance in three weeks. 'I feel so miserable that it's difficult even to say sorry.'
Reports said that Hwang and his associates could face charges of embezzlement of government funds. The scientist received 41.7 billion won (42 million dollars) in state research grants up to last year. Another 4.3 billion won came from private backers.
Hwang's office and other research establishments and private homes have been searched as part of the inquiry. A total of 30 people involved in the investigation have been barred from leaving the country.
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